TACOS DON MISAEL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. 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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: CONTAINER USED FOR HOLDING TORTILLA BOWLS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME.

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: NOTED THE REAR EXIT SCREENED METAL DOOR WITH OPEN HOLES AND GAPS IN THE BOTTOM METAL AND ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST NOT HANG CLEAN UTENSILS AND PANS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE MOP SINK. MUST STORE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NOTED OVERSIZED POTS ON PREMISES UNABLE TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. MUST REMOVE OVERSIZED POTS, INSTALL A LARGER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK OR DEMONSTRATE AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN CLEANING AND SANITIZING PROCEDURE FOR THE POTS.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER SHELVING UNDER THE MICROWAVE OVEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, 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.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: NO ADEQUATE HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT BOTH HAND WASHING SINKS AND AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE INITIAL INSPECTION WHEN FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED. HAND SINK TEMPERATURES NOTED AT 95.3F, 95.1F MAXIMUM AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 95F. AFTER OVER AN HOUR THE HOT WATER WAS REGAINED AND RESTORED TO ABOVE 100F AT THE HAND SINKS AND ABOVE 120 AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. REVIEWED THE FACILITY MUST HAVE HOT WATER AT ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: HOLE IN THE WALL BASEBOARD UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL.

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: NOTED DIRTY FLOOR UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----SOME BROKEN/MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND AROUND THE HOT WATER TANK. MUST REPLACE.

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 MUST BE STORED INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK WHEN NOT IN USE.

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 MUST BE STORED INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.