TACOS Y TAMALES EL POLLO. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND HAVE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASH SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OVER 30 RAT DROPPINGS NOTED SCATTERED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. EXCESSIVE CLUTTER/UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY/UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A).

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: NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK OR PROOF OF SERVICE AVAILABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C).

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: NO BARRIER AT FRONT PREP AREA WHERE STEAM TABLE, GRILL, PREP COOLER AND HANDWASH SINK LOCATED. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER BARRIER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MISSING SPLASHGUARD INBETWEEN HANDWASH SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR. INSTD TO PROVIDE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: LARGE EQUIPMENT (POTS) UNABLE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR SMALLER EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: LARGE EQUIPMENT (POTS) UNABLE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR SMALLER EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025

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.