LA PALAPA INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: ICE MACHINE INTERIOR NOT MAINTAINED NEED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE REMOVE ICE. ALSO TRAYS OF CEVICHE PREMADE IN REACH IN COOLER NOT PROTECTED. PLATES OF CEVICHE SITTING ON TOP OD FOOD WITHOUT ANY BARRIER, NEED TO STORE IN PROTECTED MANNER. SERIOUS VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-005A.

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: BOX FREEZER LID IN POOR CONDITION NEED TO REPLACE. CLEAN UPRIGHT FREEZER IN WALK-IN COOLER.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: WALLS IN WAIT STATION NOT EASILY CLEANABLE HAS BAMBOO ON WALLS NEED TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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: REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES, CLEAN CEILING VENT FAN REMOVE DUST AT OTHER VENTS IN KITCHEN.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: NEED TO CLEAN ALL LIGHT SHIELDS INSIDE. NEED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN WALK-IN COOLER.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE/DISH AREA NEED TO REMOVE ITEMS NOT BEING USED.ALSO IN OUTSIDE REAR STORAGE AREA.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE/DISH AREA NEED TO REMOVE ITEMS NOT BEING USED.ALSO IN OUTSIDE REAR STORAGE AREA.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.