LOS COMALES #3 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED COOLER BY RIGHT GRILL STATION WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 45.9F. OBSERVED WALK IN COOLER WITH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46.4F. MUST REPAIR AND MANTAIN TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR LESS. CRITICAL VIOLATION# 7-38-005(A)

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED FOLLOWING FOODS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND THE FRONT PREP COOLER AT TEMPERTURES BETWEEN 43F-55F: 52# BEEF, 25# CHICKEN, 35# PORK, 4# FISH, 2# CHEESE, 50# EGGS,40# TOMATOES, 50# SAUCE, 8# TAMMALES, 30# BEANS, 8# RICE, 25# MILK, 1# MELON; WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $2000 AND TOTAL WEIGHT OF 330#. FACILITY CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION BY VOLUNTRAILY DISCARING THESE ITEMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION# 7-38-005(A)

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING UNHYGIENIC PRACTICES: EMPLOYEE IN THE BASEMENT PREP HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS (MASHED POTATOES AND TORTILLAS) WITH BARE HANDS. EMPLOYEE AT TACO STATION PREPARING READY TO EAT WITH BARE HANDS. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TAKE OUT TRASH IN GLOVES AND THEN RETURN TO FOOD PREP WITHOUT GLOVE CHANGE. ADVISED MANAGER TO EXPLAIN GOOD HYGENIC PRACTICES WITH EMPLOYEES. CRITICAL VIOLATION# 7-38-010(A)(B)

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.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD BEING STORED UNDER WASTE PIPE IN BASEMENT. OBSERVED IN FRONT PREP AREA THE DISHES BEING WASHED NEXT TO STOVE WITH WATER SPLASHING ONTO STOVE WHERE FOOD WILL BE PREPARED. OBSERVED RAW BEEF STORED ABOVE READY TO EAT SALSA IN THE WALK IN COOLER. OBSERVED OPEN POTS OF READY TO EAT FOOD COOLING ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT PREP. MUST PROTECT FOOD DURING STORAGE, PREP, DISPLAY, AND SERVICE. MUST NOT STORE RAW FOODS ABOVE READY TO EAT FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION# 7-38-005(A)

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.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OBSERVED A POOL OF EXCESS GREASE, ON THE LID, COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF, AND ON THE GROUND AROUND THE GREASE CONTAINER OUTSIDE. MUST CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION# 7-38-020

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD (RAW CHICKEN) STORED IN NON FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS. OBSERVED BULK READY TO EAT FOODS, STORED WITHOUT ANY LABELING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE PREP AREA ON THE FIRST FLOOR. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN VENT IN WOMEN'S RESTROOM, AND BROKEN HOOD ABOVE STOVE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WORKING THERMOMETERS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WORKING THERMOMETERS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.