LAS ISLAS MARIAS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON DUTY. MUST HAVE A DESIGNATED MANAGER OR PERSON IN CHARGE AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL WASHBOWL AND HAND WASHING SINKS.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE 3 (GLASS) DOOR COOLER IN REAR, ON THE TOP OF PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN, AND IN THE WALK IN COOLER. FOUND CRAB @ 55.8F; FISH @ 45.8F; FISH CEVICHE @ 46.0F- 49.4F; SHRIMP @ 48F-52.4F; FISH FILLETS @ 48.2F; BEEF @ 50.7F; AND PASTA @ 46.8F. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD @ 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR DISCARDED DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED NO LABELS ON ANY TCS FOODS IN ANY COOLERS/WALK IN COOLER. MUST LABEL ALL PREPPED TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD DATE NO MORE THAN 7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: FOUND REFRIGERATION UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. FOUND 3 (GLASS) DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA WITH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 59.1F. INSTRUCTED MUST KEEP ALL REFRIGERATION @ 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES. ALL DENATURED FOODS DISCARDED AND COOLER HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS SPOT INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 10 LARGE BLACK FLIES ON COOLER DOORS, ON WALLS, AND FLYING AROUND IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ISSUE. MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED ALL EXTERIORS OF COOLERS AND SINKS, SIDES AND BOTTOMS OF TABLES AND OUTSIDE OF SINKS TO BE HEAVILY SOILED. OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BUILD UP ON SHELVES OF 3 GLASS DOOR COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SURFACES IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON STORAGE SHELVES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA, INTERIORS OF DEEP FRYERS, BROILER, AND GRILL. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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: OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN, AND IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: MUST PROVIDE VALID CERTIFICATES/PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL STAFF THAT HANDLES FOOD, INCLUDING PREP, COOKS, AND WAIT STAFF.

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: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL MANAGERS.

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: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL MANAGERS.

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.