MANJARES AL EXPRESS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED THE WALK IN COOLER LOCATED BY THE REAR EXIT AT 60F SHOWING ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THERMOMETERS. INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE UNIT AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION WAS 58F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR UNIT AND NOT USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. 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 POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS IN THE WALK IN COOLER LOCATED BY THE REAR EXIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES; 120 LBS OF BEEF BETWEEN 48.7F-51.1F VALUED AT $600, 100 LBS OF RAW CHICKEN AT 51.0F-51.3F VALUED AT $250, 7 GALLONS OF MILK AT 52.1F VALUED AT $15, 5 LBS OF SLICED TOMATOES VALUED AT $10, 60 LBS OF FISH BETWEEN 48.7F-51.0F VALUED AT $100. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID ITEMS. MANAGER DID DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL ITEMS DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE FOR ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. 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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 5 LIVE ROACHES IN VARIOUS AREAS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA; 2 BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNIT, 3 IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND OF THE LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TEST STRIPS AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

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.

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: OBSERVED DISH MACHINE SANITIZER NOT FUNCTIONING AND SANITIZER LEVEL SHOWING 0PPM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DISH MACHINE AND NOT USE THE DISH MACHINE INSTEAD USE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO PROPERLY SANITIZER ALL UTENSILS. DISH MACHINE UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY CDPH. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities prevent proper cleaning and sanitization of equipment.

Warewashing facilities must meet design and operational requirements.

3-compartment sink with drainboards; Mechanical dishwasher with proper temperatures; Test strips; Thermometers; Adequate size.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1559933; 32 - REMOVE RUSTY SURFACES ON UTENSIL STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. 35 - REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP, STORAGE, AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS ABOVE STEAM TABLE AND PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA(STAINS,FOOD SPILLS, DUST BUILDUP, ETC). INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAN UTENSILS (KNIVE, TONGS) BEING STORED BETWEEN THE WALL AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE TONGS BEING STORED ON THE OVEN HANDLE. OBSERVED UTENSILS BEING STORED IN THE DRY STORAGE BINS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL CLEAN UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS THRU OUT FOOD PREP AREA STAINED WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED BLOOD SPILLS ON THE SHELVES OF THE MEAT WALK IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE REAR. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST DEBRIS ON THE CONDENSOR OF THE MEAT WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED A BLACK SUBSTANCE AROUND THE WASHBOWLS IN THE WASHROOMS, EXPOSED HAND SINK FOR THE FOOD PREP AREA AND AROUND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF BOTH FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD AND DIRT DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA, UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS AND WALK IN COOLER. OBSERVED STANDING WATER LOCATED BY THE EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED ACCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON THE VENTS LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE ON THE VENTS LOCATED ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.OBSERVED A CRACKED WALL CORNER BEHIND THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED ACCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON THE VENTS LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE ON THE VENTS LOCATED ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.OBSERVED A CRACKED WALL CORNER BEHIND THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.