TAQUERIA LOS PORTALES Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE, 46.9F, HOLDING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. UNIT TAGGED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE UNIT SERVICED, AND DISCONTINUE USE UNTIL COOLER HOLDS A TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PREP COOLER. 2 LBS OF CHICKEN, 46.7F, VALUED AT $8. 2 LBS OF BEEF, 45.4F, VALUED AT $8. 1 LBS OF STEAK, 46.4F, VALUED AT $7. 1 LBS OF PORK, 46.2, VALUED AT $5. 1 LBS OF GROUND BEEF, 45.4F, VALUED AT $5. 2 LBS OF GUACAMOLE, 45.5F, VALUED AT $4, AND 1 LBS OF SLICED TOMATOES, 46.2F, VALUED AT $4. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COLD FOOD AT 40F OR BELOW AND MAINTAIN. 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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 15 RODENT DROPPINGS IN AN OLD WALK-IN COOLER BEING USED AS A STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS. CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREA, AND REMOVE ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT FURTHER RODENT HARBORAGE. CONTACT PEST CONTROL PROVIDER FOR SERVICE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL 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: OBSERVED BROKEN DOOR GASKET ON THE WALK-IN COOLER AND THE 1-DOOR FREEZER. ALSO, RUST ON STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR GASKETS, AND REMOVE RUST, SO RACKS ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE 1-DOOR FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: ONSERVED DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER THE 3-COMP SINK, AND INSIDE THE OLD COOLER BEING USED AS A STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON THE HOOD AND FILTERS, ALSO DUST ON FAN GUARDS IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED UNKNOWN DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHEILDS IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED A WATER LEAK INSIDE THE PREP COOLER LOCATED ON THE EAST WALK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED A WATER LEAK INSIDE THE PREP COOLER LOCATED ON THE EAST WALK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.