TACONAZO EL ORIGINAL #1 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN THE WALK-IN COOLERS NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 300# OF FOOD WORTH $700 THAT WAS NOT DATE MARKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50F. THE OPERATOR WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS DISCARDING FOOD DURING THE INSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY 7-38-005. NO 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED A PEST INFESTATION THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. OBSERVED OVER 100 LIVE HOUSE FLIES IN THE BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA, STORAGE AREAS, DINING ROOM AND WASHROOMS. ALSO OBSERVED 1 LIVE COCKROACH ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT. ALSO, OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA AND TOOL STORAGE ROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED. PRIORITY 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: REMOVE ALL DEAD INSECTS AND FLIES FROM THE STORAGE SHELVES, FLOOR AND EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE GRILLS, OVENS, MICROWAVES, AND STEAM TABLES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS. CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT AND FOOD PREP AREAS.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE WAS PROVIDED IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE ON THE TOP AND SIDES OF THE GREASE DUMPSTER IN THE ALLEY. ALSO OBSERVED SOME GARBAGE AND LITTER BEHIND THE GARBAGE AND GREASE DUMPSTERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE GREASE DUMPSTER AND MAINTAIN THE GROUND AROUND THE DUMPSTERS CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND UNUSED ARTICLES FROM THE AREA OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT TO ELIMINATE PEST HARBORAGE CONDITIONS.

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: SEAL AND CLOSE ALL OPENINGS IN THE WALLS, CEILING AND FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT.

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: REMOVE THE CARDBOARD USED TO COVER THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLERS.

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: CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES IN THE BASEMENT AND FOOD PREP AREAS.

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 SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS AND LIGHT FIXTURES UNDER THE VENTILATION HOODS AND IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT LIGHT SHIELDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL WHERE MISSING.

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: OBSERVED SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS AND LIGHT FIXTURES UNDER THE VENTILATION HOODS AND IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT LIGHT SHIELDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL WHERE MISSING.

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.