TACO MAYA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS COOKED RICE, PORK CARNITAS TACOS, CHORIZO TACOS ETC. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER HAS TO BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS OR HAND DRYING DEVICES AT THE HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. WHILE EMPLOYEES ACTIVELY PREPARING FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED HAND PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER READY TO EAT TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED RICE, COOKED BEANS, GREEN SAUCES, GUACAMOLE, PICO DE GALLO, COLESLAW, NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER THE DATE IT WAS PREPARED. WITH THE DATE OF PREPARATION COUNTING AS DAY ONE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDRCOOKED A POTENTIALLY HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. RAW STEAK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY THAT DISCLOSES AND REMINDS CONSUMERS OF SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA WITH OUT A LABEL. MUST PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTANERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEMS.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON WALLS, ON FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND CARDBOARD BOXES IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA/ DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE FLYING INSECT PROBLEM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOPS STORED INSIDE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE ARE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO STORE ALL SCOOPS AND UTENSILS WITH HANDLES NOT IN CONTACT WITH FOOD ITEMS IN BETWEEN 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE TINTFOIL AS A LINER INSIDE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED AT THIS TIME. OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING PREVENTING LID FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. ALSO OBSERVED GARBAGE AND TRUSH ON GROUND SURROUNDING DUMPSTED. THIS IS HARBORAGE AND A FOOD SOURCE FOR RODENTS AND OTHER PEST. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN GARBAGE AREA ADEQUATE MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ON WALLS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENT ABOVE UTILITY SINK IN REAR OF PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN A FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND FOOD STORAGE AREA.MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN A FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND FOOD STORAGE AREA.MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

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.