TAQUERIA AMIGO CHINO 2 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: Observed food at improper temperatures in the walk in cooler: 6.5lbs of beef tongue at 45.6f, 3.5lbs of cheese at 45.2f, 10lbs of cut tomatoes at 45.1f, 6lbs of chorizo sausage at 45.9f, 65lbs of beef at 45.1f, and 3.5lbs of chicken at 45.4f. Operator discarded and denatured said product, valued at $500 as stated by operator. Instructed to maintain all potentially hazardous foods at 40f or below or 140f or above. Critical citation issued 7-38-005(a).

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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: Observed an employee handle the top of a torta with bare hands and without washing hands before doing so when returning from handling dirty dishes. Instructed facility that there is to be no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods and to wash hands properly at every possible point of contamination. Critical citation issued 7-38-010(a).

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW - Comments: Observed waste water pouring out of the top of the grease trap when one compartment is released from the three compartment sink. Instructed facility to repair and maintain so leak is fixed and waste water is properly disposed of. Operator repaired during inspection. Critical citation issued 7-38-030.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: Observed ten small flies in the dining area above the dirt dish cart. Instructed facility to remove all pests and maintain. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: Observed one outside dumpster with a bend and damaged lid causing it to be unable to close tight fitting. Observed another dumpster propped up by overflowing garbage. Instructed facility to maintain dumpsters at all times so lids are closed and tight fitting. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: Previous minor violations from report # 1609753, dated 1-14-16, not corrected: Violation 30- "INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO LABEL ALL PREPARED FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN." Violation 34- "OBSERVED THE BASEMENT FLOORS TO BE WET. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO MAINTAIN DRY." Violation 38- "OBSERVED THE ICE MACHINE DRAIN LINE NOT CONNECTED TO FLOOR DRAIN CAUSING WATER TO SPILL AND POOL ON BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SO LINE IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO DRAIN." Violation 45 (IDPH Foodhandler requirement)- "OUT OF COMPLIANCE, INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN." Instructed facility to correct all and maintain. Serious citation issued 7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: Observed the front counter exposed handsink to have dirty, worn caulk with a black, mold-like substance under it. Instructed facility to removed, clean, recaulk, and maintain.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: Observed the floor under and around the cooking equipment and dishwashing area with dirt and debris. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Observed the light above the basement ice machine to be unshielded. Instructed facility to shield end to end and maintain.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Observed the light above the basement ice machine to be unshielded. Instructed facility to shield end to end and maintain.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.