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

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: UPON ARRIVAL, NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE DURING THE WALK THROUGH OF THE FACIITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED

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.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF STEAK. FOUND COOKED STEAK NOT IN A HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 71.8F IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH NO TIME/TEMPERATURE LOG BOOK PROVIDED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTING A HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 135F OR ABOVE FOR TCS FOODS. APPROXIMATELY 13LBS AT $51 WORTH OR PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND BIG CONTAINERS OF REFRIED BEANS (51.7F) AND SHREDDED CHEESE (55.8F). INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES FOR TCS FOODS. APPROXIMATELY 21LBS AT $87 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #21.

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 SPRAY BOTTLE WITH OIL IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND GLASS CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER/ PREP AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON FOOD 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED A SMALL OPENING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENING 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED THE ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED ON THE PREP TABLE AT THE FRONT SERVICE/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A FOOD GRADE BIN.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER USE OF YELLOW WIPING CLOTH. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WIPE HANDS ON WIPING CLOTH THROUGHOUT DISHWAHSING PROCCESS AND PLACE WIPING CLOTH ON TABLE BEHIND WAREWAHSING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PUT MENTIONED WIPING CLOTH IN THE DIRTY PILE AND TO NEVER WIPE HANDS ON WIPING CLOTH AND REUSE TO WIPE SURFACES.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER USE OF YELLOW WIPING CLOTH. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WIPE HANDS ON WIPING CLOTH THROUGHOUT DISHWAHSING PROCCESS AND PLACE WIPING CLOTH ON TABLE BEHIND WAREWAHSING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PUT MENTIONED WIPING CLOTH IN THE DIRTY PILE AND TO NEVER WIPE HANDS ON WIPING CLOTH AND REUSE TO WIPE SURFACES.

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.