TAQUERIA SAN JOSE #1 Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55.4F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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 INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 53.6F, SALSA AT 51.3F, BEEF AT 48.2-52.9F, PORK AT 51.8F, CHEESE AT 48.2F, CUT TOMATOES AT 49.1F, EGGS AT 47.7F, SHRIMP AT 63.3F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 40# OF FOOD WORTH $200. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS, GRILL, DEEP FRYER, MICROWAVE.

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: CLEAN THE ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE STOVE.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: CLEAN THE ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE STOVE.

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.