TAQUERIA EL CHARRO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: NOTED SUNNY-SIDE-UP EGGS AND EGGS COOKED TO ORDER, NOT REMINDED AND DISCLOSED ON THE WALL MENU. MUST ADEQUATELY DISCLOSE AND REMIND FOR UNDERCOOKED EGGS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION WAS ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NOTED ALL METAL STEM THERMOMETERS ON-SITE IN POOR REPAIR, EXTREMELY DIRTY, AND UNABLE TO READ. NOT CALIBRATED. MUST PROVIDE ACCURATE, FUNCTIONAL, CALIBRATED METAL STEM THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IE: SUGAR, RICE ETC. IT MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN 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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED ITEMS AT THE FRONT PREP AND IN THE MOP CLOSET ROOM MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING ON FOOD CARTS, ON SHELVING INSIDE COOLERS, OR AS A BUMPER GUARD ON FOOD CARTS. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS: INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE OVEN, INTERIOR OF THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER, GAS STOVE TOP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHERE A HOSE IS LOCATED. MUST PROVIDE.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FAUCET/HOT AND COLD HANDLES ON THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK ARE IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE TO BE CLEANABLE.-----HOT HANDLE ON THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK STRIPPED. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO BE FUNCTIONAL.----LEAK UNDER THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK INTO A PAN. MUST REPAIR.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REMOVE ALL PILED CARDBOARD BOXES AND LARGE PILE OF WOOD AND WOODEN PALLETS STORED ON THE REAR WALK-WAY TOWARD THE GARBAGE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.

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: EXCESSIVE FOOD SPLATTER ON THE WALLS AND CEILING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND ON THE WOODEN SWING DOORS LEADING TO THE KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND THE REAR HALLWAY STORAGE. MUST REPLACE.----CRACKED/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.

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: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.

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: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.

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.