LA PALAPA INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY TO EAT FOOD: CILANTRO, ONIONS AND BREAD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS, SAID ITEMS WERE PLATED FOR CUSTOMERS TO CONSUME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO TOUCH READY TO EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATIONS. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED. FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT BAR. A HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE LOCATED TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES IN ALL FOOD DISPENSING/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE INADEQUATELY SANITIZING DISHES AT 0 PPM. ALSO OBSERVED SANITIZING SOLUTION AT 3 COMP SINK AT 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SANITIZING SOLUTION TO ADEQUATELY SANITIZE DISHES PER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NO LONGER USE DISH MACHINE UNTIL IT IS RE-INSPECTED BY CDPH AND AT AN ADEQUATE SANITIZING SOLUTION OF 50 - 100 PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER FIXES DISH MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND CUTTING BOARDS BLACK FILLED WITH DEEP GROOVES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE AND MAINTAIN OR REPLACE.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: FOUND NO HOT WATER ON SITE. HOT WATER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE PEAK HOT WATER DEMANDS THROUGHOUT THE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER ADJUSS HOT WATER HEATER AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: FOUND NO HOT WATER ON SITE. HOT WATER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE PEAK HOT WATER DEMANDS THROUGHOUT THE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER ADJUSS HOT WATER HEATER AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.