TAQUERIA EL RANCHITO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS IN MAIN KITCHEN, BASEMENT PREP AREA AND WOMEN'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE IN 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR: SALSA FOUND AT 56.5F, RAW SHRIMP FOUND AT 53.1F, RAW BEEF PATTIES FOUND AT 51.8F, PACKAGED POBLANO PEPPERS STUFFED WITH CHEESE FOUND AT 53.4F, GOAT MEAT FOUND AT 54.7F, RAW CHICKEN FOUND AT 55.4F, RAW STEAK FOUND AT 43.5F, GYRO MEAT FOUND AT 47.6F AND RAW STRIP STEAK FOUND AT 57.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE FOOD. ALL FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 150 LBS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $350.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AT BOTTOM OF MENU AND MISSING REMINDER WITH AN ASTERIK ON FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE STATING, "THESE FOOD ITEMS ARE COOKED TO ORDER." ALSO MUST PROVIDE AN ASTERIK ON THE FOOD ITEMS (EGGS) THAT ARE COOKED TO ORDER. PROVIDED MANAGER WITH EXAMPLES FROM HEALTHY CHICAGO, CDPH ON CONSUMER ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR AT 59.5F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW TO STORE FOOD ITEMS AT PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE. 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. MUST CONTACT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG FOR RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 HOUSE FLIES IN DRY STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND ELIMINATE ALL EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PREMISES MUST BE MAINTAINED FREE OF ANY PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF ICE BIN IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN CLEAN ICE SCOOP HOLDER BETWEEN USES.

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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CRACKED AND BROKEN LID ON CHEST FREEZER NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN MAIN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DARK YELLOW STAINS ON CUTTING BOARDS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN OR REPLACE.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS THAT ACCURATELY MEASURE THE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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: OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE OF COOKING FRYER IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CRACKED FLOOR TILES AT FRONT BAR AREA. MUST 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTER ON WALLS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTER ON WALLS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.