TAQUERIA LOS COMALES #11 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER: PORK AT 73.4F, COOKED BEANS AT 74.3F AND BEEF AT 73.8F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 5# OF FOOD WORTH $15. PRIORITY 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (COOKED RICE AND BEANS, BEEF, SALSA, ETC.) STORED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT A DATE MARK TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 45# OF FOOD WORTH $185. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 48.2F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED BEANS AND PORK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN THE DEEP FRYER, GRILL, PREP TABLES, STEAM TABLE, INTERIOR OF COOLERS AND FREEZERS.

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 A DRAIN LINE WATER LEAK UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK.

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 INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO 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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE GARBAGE OVERFLOWING OVER THE TOP OF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER SO THAT THE LIDS CANNOT BE CLOSED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE GARBAGE PICKUP SO THAT THE GARBAGE DOES NOT OVERFLOW OVER THE TOP OF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE GARBAGE OVERFLOWING OVER THE TOP OF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER SO THAT THE LIDS CANNOT BE CLOSED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE GARBAGE PICKUP SO THAT THE GARBAGE DOES NOT OVERFLOW OVER THE TOP OF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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.