TAQUERIA EL RANCHITO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: FOUND (1) CONTAINER OF OYSTERS HELD INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER IN 1ST FLOOR KITCHEN LACKING THE REQUIRED SHELLFISH TAG. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED,DENATURED SAID SHELLFISH- APPROXIMATELY 40 OYSTERS,APPROXIMATELY TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE $70.00 AS PER MANAGER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (B).

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES.OBSERVED LARGE CONTAINER WITH ABOUT 10#'s OF COOKED RICE,3#'s OF COOKED GROUND BEEF WITH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 49.1-52.2F.NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE TO VIEW. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED,DENATURED SAID FOODS.APPROX:DOLLAR VALUE$30.00. AS PER MANAGER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: FOUND THE EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE.OBSERVED DIRTY PLATES,SPOON AND SAUCE PANS STORED INSIDE SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS INSIDE SINK. ADVISED MANAGER THAT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IS FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: ALL PREPARED FOODS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL/DATE AND MAINTAIN.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: RUBBER GASKETS AT 2 DOOR STAND-UP REACH IN COOLER ARE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. WOODEN STORAGE SHELVINGS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN DRY SRORAGE AREAS AND RUSTY SHELVINGS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.MUST BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH AND MAINTAIN TO SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, SINKS, COOLERS, PREP TABLES, ICE MACHINE,KITCHEN SHELVINGS.

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: FOUND EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE AND WATER ON FLOORS; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT THE KITCHEN PREP AREAS, FRONT SERVING AREA AND BASEMENT, UNDER,AROUND, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS. MUST KEEP FLOORS DRY IN KITCHEN AND BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE 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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST CLEAN WALL/CEILING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND ATTACHED EQUIPMENTS,WALLS ALONG THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE/FOOD DEBRIS SPLASHED REMOVE DUSTS BUILD-UP ON VENTILATION COVERS INSIDE THE TOILET ROOMS AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILE AT REAR CORNER IN KITCHEN AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN PREP AREAS.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MONITORING FOOD TEMPERATURES.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ICE DISPENSING UTENSIL MUST BE PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER NOT ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ICE DISPENSING UTENSIL MUST BE PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER NOT ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.