LOS COMALES #3 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND COLD TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE THE 2-DOOR AND 3-DOOR PREP COOLERS IN THE 1ST-FLOOR REAR PREP AREA. RAW CHICKEN, COOKED CHICKEN, EGGS, RAW BEEF, COOKED BEEF, SOUR CREAM, SHREDDED LETTUCE, CUT TOMATOES, COOKED PORK, HAM, COOKED PEPPERS, COOKED NOPALES, COOKED STEAK, AND TONGUE (LENGUA) FOUND AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 45F TO 61F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD-HOLDING TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. FOOD DISCARDED.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 80 LIVE FRUIT FLIES INSIDE THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 70 ON THE CEILING AND WALLS OF THE BASEMENT PREP AREA AND 10 INSIDE THE BASEMENT EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY FROM THE PREMISES AND TO CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 RAW MEATS STORED DIRECTLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RAW MEATS STORED DIRECTLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

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.