RESTAURANTE AMATEPEC ESTADO DE MEXICO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 52F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN AND SALSA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED SOUR CREAM AT 58.2F, CHICKEN AT 54.4F, EGGS AT 53.8F, MILK AT 48.7-51.2F, TRIPE AT 87.1F, CORN TRUFFLE SAUCE AT 53.8F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 100# OF FOOD WORTH $100. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 3 LIVE COCKROACHES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA ON THE WALL BEHIND THE STORAGE SHELVES AND PREP TABLE IN THE CORNER. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS LINING STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS USED TO STORE FOOD IN THE STEAM TABLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AS A FOOD CONTACT SURFACE. REPLACE THE PLASTIC CONTAINERS USED FOR DRY FOOD STORAGE THAT ARE HELD TOGETHER BY DUCT TAPE.

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: CLEAN THE PREP TABLE AND STORAGE SHELVES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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: CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA ESPECIALLY BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS.

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: CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND FRONT PREP AREA AROUND WHERE THE GARBAGE CAN SITS. OBSERVED CONDENSED WATER DRIPPING FROM THE DUCT WORK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MUST INSULATE DUCT WORK TO ELIMINATE CONDENSATION. PAINT OR COVER DRYWALL IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SHIELDED. MUST INSTALL A LIGHT SHIELD.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SHIELDED. MUST INSTALL A LIGHT SHIELD.

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.