TACO & BURRITO EXPRESS BROTHERS INC. Passes Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED GROUND BEEF IMPROPERLY THAWING IN A CONTAINER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. REVIEWED PROPER THAWING OF FROZEN FOODS UNDER REFRIGERATION OR COLD RUNNING WATER.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST NOT STORE CLEAN HANGING UTENSILS, POTS, PANS ABOVE THE REAR UTILITY MOP SINK.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: RAW WOODEN SHELVING ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST PAINT/SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED AT THE BASEMENT ICE MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE A VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: MUST EXTEND THE WASTE WATER DRAINAGE LINE ON THE ICE MACHINE TO REACH THE FLOOR DRAIN. MUST NOT DRAIN ONTO THE FLOOR.

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: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS SUCH AS PILED WOOD, PLASTIC BUCKETS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO/WALKWAY/UNDER STAIRCASE, MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.

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: PEELING PAINT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: WALL AT THE REAR PREP HAND WASHING SINK, WALL IN THE WASHROOM NEXT TO THE TOILET, WALL AT THE DISH WASHING DRYING RACK, WOODEN SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE. MUST REMOVE PEELING PAINT/REPAIR/REPAINT.----MISSING FLOOR TILE ON THE COOKS LINE WITH RAW EXPOSED WOOD. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.-----MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS WINDOW COVERING IN THE REAR DISH ROOM.----MISSING CEILING THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT ABOVE ALL BOX FREEZERS, ICE MACHINE, BULK FOOD CONTAINERS AND OTHER DRY FOOD STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE ALL.----RAW WOODEN FLOORING UNDER KITCHEN COOLERS, FREEZER, HAND SINK. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.----POOLING LIQUID ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT UNDER AND AROUND THE BOX FREEZER. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN DRY FLOORS.

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: SOILED MOP HEADS OBSERVED IMPROPERLY STORED. MUST STORE INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

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: MISSING WALL/BASEBOARD COVING THROUGHOUT THE DISH ROOM, UNDER ALL SINKS. MUST REPLACE/PROVIDE.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: CRACKED/DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE REAR KITCHEN PREP TABLE. MUST REPLACE.----MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER. MUST PROVIDE.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

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: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

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.