Pepe's Mexican Restaurant Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED FEMALE EMPLOYEE SANITIZING MULTI-USE UTENSILS AT 0.0 PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED HER TWICE USE A POT WITH SOAP IN FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT TO WASH 2- BOWLS AND THEN RINSE UNDER RUNNING WATER AND PROCEEDED TO USE BOWLS. INSTRUCTED AGAIN TO SET UP SINK TO PROPERLY WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS.(PRIORITY 7-38-025)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ,SHAKERS AND SQUEEZE BOTTLES WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 15 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND MOP SINK AREA,ON CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA AND MOP SINK AREA AND CRAWLING ON DAMAGED ONIONS IN A BIN ON SHELVING UNIT. MUST REMOVE DAMAGED PRODUCE.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 2/23/24.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-0209A)(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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREZER MUST STORE OFF OF FLOOR TO PREVENT CROSS 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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR PREP COOLER AND WALK IN FREEZER.SINK STOPPER HANDLES IN POOR REPAIR AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

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: MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM UNDERNEATH CHEMICAL STORED ON SHELVING UNIT.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF GRILL TABLE.

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: OBSEVED A FEW OVERSIZED POTS AND LARGE PLASTIC BINS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE PROPERLY CLEAN AND SANITIZED.MUST PROVIDE SMALL POTS OR LARGE SINK IS NEEDED.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR OBSERVED 2- FAUCETS AT SAID SINK AND THE FAR LEFT HOT WATER FAUCET IS TRICKLING WATER AND FAR RIGHT TRICKLING COLD WATER AND A LOUD PIERCING SOUND AND FAUCETS SHAKING WHEN WATER IS TURNED ON NOT ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE TO FILL UP SINK TO SET UP SINK PROPERLY.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE A CLEAN CONTAINER TO DIVERT WATER TO FILL UP OTHER COMPARTMENTS PROPERLY.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025)(CITATION ISSUED)

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: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES, FRYER CABINETS,MEAT SLICER,WALK IN COOLER -FAN GUARD COVERS.MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK IN FREEZER SHELVING UNITS.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCETS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA.

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: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA.

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.