TAQUERIA UPTOWN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 7-21-14,REPORT #1482868 #29- PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 4-27-15,REPORT#1482695 #32- BROKEN RUBBER GASKET AT TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER BY THE STOVE,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE,SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. HALF OF THRESHOLD IS BROKEN AT BOTTOM REAR DOOR #33-MINIMAL MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN #41-BASEMENT EXTREMELY UNORGANIZED,CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: WOOD,BOXES,PAINTS,LADDERS,AND OTHER UNKNOWN MATERIAL ALL STORED ON FLOOR WITH EXCESS DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT WITH A STRONG FOUL ODOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGANIZE,SAID AREA.ELEVATED ITEMS NEEDED 6" OFF THE FLOOR OBSERVED TODAY 7-21-15 THE SAME VIOLATIONS. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-090 TODAY 7-31-15 OBSERVED THE SAME VIOLATIONS.PRESENTLY CORRECTED WASHBOWL INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS REPAIRED NO LONGER SLOWLY DRAINING CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-42-090

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: UP-GRADED TO VIOLATION#14

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED KNIVES STORED BETWEEN THE UNUSED FLAT GRILL AND METAL RACK,ALSO KNIVES ARE STORED INSIDE THE CARDBOARD BOX, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A KNIFE RACK TO MINIMIZE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION

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: DEBRIS UNDER THE FLAT GRILL BY THE EXPOSED HAND SINK,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN JUICE DISPENSER WITH A MINIMUM BUILD-UP OF BLACK SUBSTANCE AT NOZZLE DISPENSER,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: FLOOR TILE AROUND THE FLOOR DRAIN AND IN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK ARE BROKEN, ELEVATED FROM FLOOR AND UNEVEN,UNABLE TO CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BROKEN FLOOR TILES,SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE

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: STAINED CEILING TILES IN KITCHEN AND ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.OBSERVED BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE BETWEEN THE WALL AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND RE-CAULK WITH A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: FAUCET BY THE WALL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS LEAKING,ALSO PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,BY THE DRAIN BOARD.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR

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: FAUCET BY THE WALL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS LEAKING,ALSO PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,BY THE DRAIN BOARD.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR

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.