RESTAURANT EL RANCHITO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITH INCOMPLETE CLEAN-UP SUPPLIES AND NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE COMPLETED CLEAN UP PROCEDURE TO INCLUDE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION LEVELS AND A LIST OF SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. (REFER TO REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR DISH AREA WITH A BUILD-UP OF PINK, BLACK AND BROWN SUBSTANCE DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ALSO NOTED INTERIOR PLATE OF ICE BIN WITH EXCESS RUST. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD AT KITCHEN PREP COOLER: MARINATED PORK 50.7 F, SLICED TOMATOES 46.8 F, CHOPPED LETTUCE 55.2 F, COOKED CHICKEN 51.1 F, CHEESE 52.5 F, SOUR CREAM 53.4 F, CHOPPED TOMATOES 50.5 F, GUACAMOLE 49.1 F, BACON 53.6 F, PORK 51.4 F, TRIPE 48.9 F PERSON IN CHARGE REMOVED ALL OTHER TCS FOODS (MAYO BASED CONDIMENTS, COOKED SAUCES,BUTTER) FROM COOLER AND DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 100 LBS VALUED AT $300 PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT. AMBIENT AIR OF PREP COOLER 55.9 F. UNIT TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON BOTTOM SHELF AND RUST ON ALL SHELVRS IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE BY SANDING AND SEALING OR REPLACE 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR CHLORINE SANITIZER USED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENTED TEST STRIPS FOR QUAT SANITIZER BUT ONLY HAS BLEACH ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. 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: NOTED HEAVY GREASE DEPOSITS ON BOTTOM COMPARTMENT OF FRYER AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE, DIRT, AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ON TOP OF GREASE TRAP IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP 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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.