OSTIONERIA RESTAURANT EL EL TECOLOTE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN SITE WITH FOODSERVICE SANITATION TRAINING.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ACQUIRE FOODSERVICE SANITATION MANAGER TRAINING AND RETAIN RECORDS/CERTIFICATION ON SITE FRO REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT REAR HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS (SOUPS, SAUCES) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PIC DENATURED AND DISPOSED OF ALL ITEMS WITHOUT PROPER DATE MARKING AT A COST OF $50 AND 10LBS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU MARKING UNDERCOOKED ITEMS( OVER EASY EGGS, OYSTERS) LINKING TO FOOTNOTE ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ADD ASTERISK TO ALL UNDER COOKED ITEMS AND MAINTAIN ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF INGREDIENTS (SUGAR, FLOUR) NOT LABELED WITH COMMON INGREDIENT NAME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN ALL CONTAINERS WITH BULK ITEMS WITH COMMON INGREDIENT NAME.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED, LAYING ON TABLES OUTSIDE OF SANITATION SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS AND MAINTAIN.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED UTENSILS(BOWLS, SCOOPS) STORED IN CONTAINERS OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN UTENSILS PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF RESIDUE ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF MICROWAVE OVER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE TRAP TO BE RUSTED AND SEEPING WASTE LIQUID AT BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COLD HOLDING UNITS AND REFRIGERATORS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO 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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BUILD UP OF GREASE ON EXTERIOR LID OF OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE ITEMS AND STORE AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP ON FLOORS UNDER EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE ON FILTERS IN REAR PREP AREA OVER HOT COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE ON FILTERS IN REAR PREP AREA OVER HOT COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.