PEPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago School

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT START TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE STEAK, RICE AND CHICKEN WERE BEING COOKED AND SERVED. THE DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE, WHO IS PHYSICALLY ON SITE, MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION LICENSE. VIOLATION CORRECTED ON SITE; THE CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER, MARIA VELASQUEZ, ARRIVED ON SITE AT 12:20PM WHILE TYPING INSPECTION REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH IN THE PUBLIC WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NOTED ANALOG METAL STEM THERMOMETER INSIDE 2-DOOR DISPLAY COOLER LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA WHERE CUT VEGGIES AND SOUR CREAM IS STORED (NEAR OFFICE). FACILITY ADVISED TO UTILIZE AMBIENT AIR REFRIGERATOR THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATED UNITS.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS (EX. SALSA, SOUR CREAM, PEPPERS, STEAK ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS CONTAINING SPICES AND SALT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERS PROVIDED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER FOR CONTAINERS FILLED WITH PEPPERS AND SHREDDED LETTUCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDED LID/COVER TO CONTAINERS CONTAINING FOOD ITEMS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF BULK CONTAINERS (SALT, SPICES ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN 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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF BULK CONTAINERS (SALT, SPICES ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN 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.