MAGO'S TAMALES & TAQUERIA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BLACK SLIME DRIPPING ONTO ICE IN ICE MACHINE WHICH IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED RAW STEAK AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 44.7F IN PREP COOLER. OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE. SHELLED EGGS FOUND ON COUNTER AT 72.1F AND CHORIZO FOUND AT 43.8F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. FOOD DISCARDED VOLUNTARILY BY EMPLOYEE. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS AT A COST OF $40.00. 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED AND DIRTY WIPING CLOTH STORED ON CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE. MUST HANG DRY WHEN NOT BEING USED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP WITH DARK YELLOW STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN OR REPLACE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE INSIDE OF COOKING FRYER AND ON SIDES OF EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

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.