LA COSTA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED SQUEEZE BOTTLES IN COLD HOLDING UNITS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL SQUEEZE BOTTLES AND ALL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER WITH COMMON NAMES.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD MOUSE IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA NEXT TO FOOD STORAGE TABLE ALONG WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY, CLEAN FLOOR.

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: OBSERVED A MISSING SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK IN BAR AREA AND SMALL SHELF NEXT TO HAND SINK. EXPOSED FOOD AND UTENSILS STORED ON BOTH SIDES OF HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD AND MAINTAIN.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED KNIVES IN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA SHOVED INTO SIDE OF COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT KNIVES SHOULD BE STORED IN KNIFE RACKS WHEN NOT IN USE.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED POTS AND PANS IN FRONT KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT POTS AND PANS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE BIN IN KITCHEN PREP AREA WITH A BUILDUP OF A PINK AND BLACK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE INSIDE BIN ON WALL, ON ICE SHIELD AND ON COVER AT BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE. OBSERVED SODA NOZZLE HOLDER WITH A PINK GEL LIKE SUBSTANCE INSIDE INSTUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK FROM DRAIN PIPE OF BAR AREA THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION. OBSERVED LEAK FROM DRAIN PIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTABLE IN SECOND FLOOR UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILDUP ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH ICE MACHINE AND WALLS SURROUNDING ICE MACHINE. STANDING WATER AND LITTER ON FLOOR UNDER BAR EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON TUBING UNDER ICE BIN IN BAR AREA INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUSTY VENT COVER OF ICE MACHINE, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED AREA AROUND GREASE TRAPS OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS WITH BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUSTY VENT COVER AND STAINS ON WALLS IN FIRST FLOOR UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUSTY VENT COVER IN FIRST FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND PIPES ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL BEHIND SPRAYER OF DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLES IN WALL BEHIND DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING BASEBOARD ON WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED WALL PIECE ABOVE DOOR TO WALK IN FREEZER NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK HANGING DOWN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BROKEN TILE ON PILLAR IN FRONT OF REAR GRILL AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLE BEHIND TOILET OF SECOND STALL IN FIRST FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN FIRST FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED TOP OF ICE MACHINE CLUTTERED WITH TRAYS INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ORGANIZE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TOP OF ICE MACHINE.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITH MANAGER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENROLL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED ONLY ONE MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENROLL ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS IN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN PROOF OF TRAINING ON SITE.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED ONLY ONE MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENROLL ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS IN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN PROOF OF TRAINING ON SITE.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.