⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

LOS ALAMOS Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

LOS ALAMOS 2157 S DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO 60608 Restaurant
December 20, 2018 Canvass License #1332164
14
Total Violations
6
Critical
4
Major
4
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

14
Violation #3
CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.
Violation #5
CRITICAL
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES ON SITE FOR VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE KIT AND POST PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.
Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.
Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.
Violation #6
CRITICAL
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM AN OPEN BEVERAGE CONTAINER IN THE PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO DESIGNATE AN AREA ON THE PREMISES FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK/EAT, TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.
Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS AND GLOVES IN THE BASIN OF THE HAND SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THAT THE HAND SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES, AND IS FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED 5 LBS OF BEEF (51F) AND 5 LBS OF CHICKEN (52F) AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES STORED IN A PREP COOLER. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD TCS COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW. FOOD VALUED AT $40. 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.
Violation #23
CRITICAL
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKINGS ON TCS AND SOME RTE FOODS PREPARED ONSITE AND HELD IN COOLERS OVER 24 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUME BY DATES ON FOOD AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO 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.
Violation #37
MAJOR
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (RICE, FLOUR, SUGAR) WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES, WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST COVER FOOD STORED IN REACH IN COOLERS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FOR OTHER FOODS AND THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR AND WALL TILES THROUGHOUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DUST ACCUMULATION FOR KITCHEN HOOD AND FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
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.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections