TAQUERIA EL RANCHITO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN ANY OF THE COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT BAR AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE SOILED WIPING CLOTHS BEING STORED ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED BOXED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES BEING STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOIL BEING USED AS LINER ON PREP SURFACES IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE FOIL AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, AND SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP AND/OR GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP AND/OR GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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.