PEPE'S TACO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FOUND THE PREP REACH IN COOLER NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR LOWER. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 50.1F. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE UNIT FIXED SO THAT IT CAN MAINTAIN THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE AT ALL TIMES. 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: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED IN THE PREP REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. BEEF (48.9F), SOUR CREAM (50.4-52.3F), CHEESE (53.4F-54.5F), GUACOMOLE (53.0F), PICO DE GALLO (49.7F) AND CUT TOMATOES (53.9F). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR LOWER DURING STORAGE. 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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVE DISH WASHER WASHING UTENSILS BUT NOT SANITIZING THEM. 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT SET UP, EMPLOYEE IS USING A SOAPY SPONGE TO WASH THE UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY SET UP SINK AND ADEQUATELY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: NO SANITIZER TEST KIT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM THE CAN OPENER AND STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AREA AND INSIDE COOLERS.

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 SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WORN RUBBER GASKETS AND PROVIDE A HANDLE ON THE TOP DOOR OF THE PREP REACH IN COOLER. MAINTAIN SAME.

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: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS, THE ICE MACHINE, ALL STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AND IN THE COOLERS AND THE CAN OPENER.

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: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS UNDER/AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE MISSING WALL TILE BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA AND IN THE REAR BEHIND THE MOP SINK (LOWER WALL).

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE MOPSINK AND MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE THE ICE SCOOP IN THE REAR AND TO STORE ALL WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION 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 (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE THE ICE SCOOP IN THE REAR AND TO STORE ALL WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION 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.