LOS COMALES #3 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.12 OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT THE HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. EMPOYEE PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS FOR SAID HAND WASHING SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).

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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE ON EACH ITEM OF THE MENU THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY. OBSERVED ABOUT 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS LOCATED BY THE DRINK PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-306.11 OBSERVED FOODS (TORTILLA CHIP, SALSA, PICKLED VEGETABLES) NOT PROTECTED FROM POSSIBLE CUSTOMER CONTAMINATION LOCATED AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER COUNTER AND TWO BIG CONTAINERS OF PICKLED VEGETABLES ON A TABLE IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA UNCOVERED AND WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM POSSIBLE CUSTOMER CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY DISPLAY AND PREP FOODS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND KEEP ALL FOODS PROTECTED FROM ANY POSSIBLE CUSTOMER CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS FROM THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON THE HANDLES OF THE PREP COOLER LOCATED BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15(A) OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT HOT WATER TURNS ON AND MAINTAINS 100F FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO CLOSED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE BASEMENT TOILET ROOM AND IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM THAT IS LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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: 6-303.11 OBSERVED ADDITIONAL LIGHTING IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER THAT IS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11 OBSERVED ADDITIONAL LIGHTING IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER THAT IS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.