LA CASA DE SAMUEL REST. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: FOUND APPROXIMATELY 25 FRESH CLAMS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGIING STORED IN WALK-IN FREEZER. ALL FRESH SHELLFISH MUST BE PROPERLY STORED WITH ORIGINAL TAG AND KEPT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING UNTIL PREPARED. ALL PRODUCT FOUND NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING DISCARDED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(B2).

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TAKE TORTILLAS WITH BARE HANDS, PLACE ON THE GRILL WITH BARE HANDS, FLIP THEM OVER WITH BARE HANDS, AND TAKE TTHEM OFF THE GRILL WITH BARE HANDS. MUST USE TONGS, UTENSILS, GLOVES OR WHITE TISSUE PAPER WHEN HANDLING UNCOVERED FOODS. NO BARE HAND CONTACT ALLOWED WITH READY TO EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A).

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: FRONT FOOD PREP AREA WHERE TORTILLAS ARE PREPARED AND HELD UNTIL SERVED NOT PROERLY PROTECTED. MUST INSTALL A PROTECTIVE BARRIER IN THIS AREA TO PREVENT HUMAN CONTAMINATION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: ALL CUTTING BOARDS IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA THAT ARE NO LONGER EASILY CLEANABLE WITH DEEP GROOVES IN THE SURFACES MUST BE REPLACED.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA(DEEP FRYERS, OVENS, GRILLS, REFRIGERATED DRAWERS, PREP TABLES, AND SHELVES).

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT WHERE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE, AND DEBRIS ARE PRESENT.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: CLEAN MASSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP FROM THE HOOD ABOVE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN AND/OR REPLACE DUSTY AND GREASY LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT REAR AREAS OF BUSINESS. CLEAN, PAINT OR REPLACE DARK LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR DISH WASHING/PREP AREA(AREA NOT WELL LIT). CLEAN MASSIVE DUST BUILD-UP FROM CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: CLEAN MASSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP FROM THE HOOD ABOVE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN AND/OR REPLACE DUSTY AND GREASY LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT REAR AREAS OF BUSINESS. CLEAN, PAINT OR REPLACE DARK LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR DISH WASHING/PREP AREA(AREA NOT WELL LIT). CLEAN MASSIVE DUST BUILD-UP FROM CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.