LAS PICOSAS CO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE - Comments: UNKNOWN SOURCE/NO INVOICE OF UNSEALED UNLABELED PALETAS OR HAND PACKED ICE CREAM ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE INVOICE, APPROVED SOURCE (BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND DOCUMENTATION THAT SOURCE IS APPROVED FROM STATE TO WHOLESALE). PALETAS MUST BE FULLY SEALED AND PROPERLY LABELED (DISTRIBUTOR, INGREDIENTS, ETC) CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY. PALETAS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 20LBS $100 VALUE

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN WALK IN COOLER : LARGE, DEEP CONTAINERS OF BARBACOA 60.9F, PORK 48.5F , BEEF 50.1F INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ANIMAL FOOD PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICK ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS (BEEF BURGERS, EGGS ANY STYLE, STEAK) THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW AND ADD A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU THAT READS *THESE ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. CONSUMING UNDERCOOKED OR RAW FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. (REFER TO CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE ON CDPH WEBSITE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: IMPROPER COOLING OF COOKED BARBOCOA, BEEF, AND PORK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY COOL BY: (1) ARRANGING IN EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE CONTAINER WALLS; AND(2) LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PERIOD TO FAICLITATE HEAT TRANSFER FROM THE SURFACE OF THE FOOD

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, HEAVILY LEAKING UNDERNEATH. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025 PRIORITY FOUNDATION.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, HEAVILY LEAKING UNDERNEATH. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025 PRIORITY FOUNDATION.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.