TAQUERIA LOS COMALES #1 INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN REAR PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS COOKED BEEF TONGUE RANGING FROM 46.1F- 50.2F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 7.5LBS AT $36. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED A LARGE POT OF COOKED SALT UNLABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH 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: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED STYROFOAM CUP USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS IN BULK CONTAINERS AND OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE IN BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE DISPENSING UTENSILS WITH HANDLES STORED ABOVE FOOD AND INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP WITH HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO STORE KNIVES WITH HANDLES UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC UTENSILS HORIZONTALLY STORED IN OPEN CONTAINER NEAR KITCHEN ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT UTENSILS WITH HANDLES UP TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

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 TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS IN REACH IN COOLERS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.

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 ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON HOT HOLDING UNITS IN TWO PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED. MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL FOIL FROM THE HOT HOLDING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN REAR PREP AREA COVERED WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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 TEST STRIPS FOR CHLORINE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. QUATERNARY AMMONIA TEST STRIPS ARE ON SITE. CHLORINE IS BEING USED A THE SANITIZER.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT TESTING STRIPS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKY FAUCET FIXTURE AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO 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 COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 STAINED/BROKEN/MISSING CEILING TILES IN KITCHEN AREA AND IN BASEMENT AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CEILING AND MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS 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 ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS IN KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS. OBSERVED DISCOLORED PUDDLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED FILTERS FOR VENTILATION HOODS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHTS UNDER VENTILATION HOODS IN KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHTS AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHTS UNDER VENTILATION HOODS IN KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHTS AND MAINTAIN.

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.