SEOUL TACO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMP IN USE CHLORINE BASED SANITIZER DISH MACHINE NOT SANITIZING. A CHLORINE TEST STRIP INDICATED OPPM OF CHLORINE. DISHMACHINE WAS TAGGED 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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 10 FRUIT FLIES IN BASEMENT FOOD PREPARATION AREA AROUND DISHMACHINE AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST ELIMINATE ALL FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FORM REPORT # 1970502 DATED 10/28/2016 NOT CORRECTED INCLUDING :OFFICE ROOM FLOOR CLUTTERED/LITTERED THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOOR AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARRRED FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER INCLUDING COOKED RICE, COOKED TOFU OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINER NOT LABELED. ALL PREPARRED FOODS OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINER NEED LABELS.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED LOWER SHELFS OF PREP TABLES IN BASEMENT WITH HEAVY RUST ACCUMULATION. MUST REMOVE RUST FROM ALL 3 PREP TABLES IN BASEMENT AND RESTORE SURFACE OF LOWER SHELVES TO A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE CONDITION.

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: OBSERVED AREA UNDER FLAT TOP GRILL WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL. OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF RICE COOKED UNCLEAN MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL. OBSERVED INTERIOR OF FRYER WITH DIRTY RAG AND EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMUALTION. DEGREASE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED FLOORS IN FRONT SERVICE AREA WITH HEAVY DIRT ACCUMUALTION UNDER ALL REFRIGERATION AND COOKING UNITS. PULL OUT ALL EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL. OBSERVED FLOORS IN REAR KITHCEN ON MAIN FLOOR UNCLEAN UNDER ALL STOVES AND FRYERS WITH HEAVY GREASE ACCUMUALTION. MUST DEGREASE ALL FLOORS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FLOORS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA UNCLEAN UNDER DISH MACHINE WITH HEAVY DIRT ACCUMULATION AND STANDING WATER. OBSERVED FLOORS IN BASEMENT ARE NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLENABLE. ALL FLOORS IN BASEMENT MUST BE PAINTED AND RESTRED TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE CONDITION. OBSERVED LARGE HOLE IN FLOOR OF CLOSET TO RIGHT OF REAR EXIT LEADING TO BASEMENT. HOLE IN CLOSET FLOOR NEEDS TO BE CLOSED AND MAINTAINED. OBSERVED FLOOR OF BASEMENT MOP SINK ROOM UNCLEAN WITH HEAVY DIRT ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED CLOSET TO THE LEFT OF REAR EXIT LEADING TO BASEMENT. CLOSET CONTAIINS 2 FURNACES. CLOSET HAS BLACK MOLD ON CEILING AND HOLES IN CEILING. ALL BLACK MOLD MUST BE REMOVED AND ALL HOLES NEED TO BE CLOSED TO DETER INSECT OR RODENT ENTRY.

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: OBSERVED STAFF WASHROOM IN BASEMENT WITH OUT OF ORDER SIGN. TOILET IS IN DISREPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TOILET. OBSERVED SPRAYER AT SINK FOR DISHMACHINE WITH CONSTANT STEAM OF WATER LEAKING FORM SPRAYER. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPRAYER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING FROM WHERE SPRAYER IS ATTACHED TO FAUCET. MUST REPAIR 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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED STAFF WASHROOM IN BASEMENT WITH OUT OF ORDER SIGN. TOILET IS IN DISREPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TOILET. OBSERVED SPRAYER AT SINK FOR DISHMACHINE WITH CONSTANT STEAM OF WATER LEAKING FORM SPRAYER. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPRAYER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING FROM WHERE SPRAYER IS ATTACHED TO FAUCET. MUST REPAIR 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.