LA COCO MEXICAN FOOD Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: WE CONTINUE TO OBSERVE EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 RODENT MICE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR AND ON TOP OF CLUTTERED STORED UNNECESSARY ITEMS/UNUSED BROKEN FOOD EQUIPMENTS ETC;LOCATED AT REAR UNDERNEATH STAIRCASE NEXT TO SIDE EXIT DOOR AND APPROXIMATELY 100 RODENT MICE DROPPINGS ON BASEMENT FLOOR AND ON TOP OF STORAGE SHELVINGS AND INTERIOR OF CABINET STORAGE UNITS AND INSIDE THE FURNACE ROOM ON TOP OF CLUTTERED STORAGE TABLE AND SHELVINGS.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AND REMOVE ALL RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: WALK-IN COOLER AND CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR COMMON AREA OF BUILDING, NOT SECURED. MUST PROVIDE LOCKS FOR UNITS TO PROTECT FOOD FROM POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OR TAMPERING.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: 4-904.11--INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND INVERT POTS/PANS STORED ON SHELF UNDERNEATH THE KITCHEN PREP TABLES TO PREVENT CONTAIMINATION BEFORE USE AND MAINTAIN.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE TRAP,PREP TABLES,FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE CHEST FREEZER AND PREP COOLERS,STORAGE SHELVES BEHIND THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND DRY STORAGE SHELVINGS IN THE BASEMENT,AND DEEP FRYER.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-201.11--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENTS,DEEP FRYER,CHEST FREEZERS AND IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS/UNDERNEATH ALL DRY STORAGE RACKS.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ARTICLES/UNUSED BROKEN FOOD EQUIPMENTS STORED UNDERNEATH THE STAIRCASE NEAR THE REAR SIDE EXIT DOOR AND IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND FURNACE ROOM AND MAINTAIN.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11--OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OVER THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11--OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OVER THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.