TAQUERIA UPTOWN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT INFESTATION, NO BIRDS, TURTLES OR OTHER ANIMALS - Comments: OBSERVED 10 LIVE ROACHES IN PREP AREA BEHIND/UNDER MICROWAVE, 20 LIVE SMALL ROACHES IN CRACKS/CREVICES AT GREASE TRAP UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, 10 LIVE ROACHES IN CRACKS/CREVICES BETWEEN PIECES OF WOOD IN COOLER/HEATING UNIT ROOM, AND 20 LIVE ROACHES IN CRACKS AND CREVICES THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. FOUND 20 LIVE ROACHES IN DINNING AREA, VERY HARD TO SEE IN BASEMENT FOR ACTIVE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELIMINATE ALL ROACH/PEST ACTIVITY. MUST CALL A LICENSED ILLINOIS PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE.CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Pests carry numerous pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus, contaminating food and surfaces.

Facility must be free of pest infestation.

No live pests; No pest droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting; Effective pest control program; Regular monitoring; Professional treatment when needed.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: FOOD CONTAINERS NEEDS LABLES,DATES IN REACH IN COOLER.AND UPRIGHT REFRIGERATIION UNITS.

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: REAR SCREEN EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR DAMAGED ALSO OBSERVED CANDLES AND FLOWERS ON PREP AREA TABLE. MUST REPAIR SCREEN DOOR, REMOVE FLOWERS AND CANDLES FROM PREP TABLE TOP ALSO MUST RAISE DOOR SWEEPS THRESHOLD AT FRONT AND REAR EXIT DOORS

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 ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS/CORNERS AND HINDGES OF ALL PREP AREA COOLERS, GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FOOD BUILD UP ON ALL PREP AREA SHELVES. UNDER THE STOVE AND FRYERS BUILD UP GREASE,SIDE OF ALL REFIRGERATION UNITS, MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT.

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: OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT/GREASE BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN PREP AND DISHWASH AREA.BASEMENT AREA,FRONT COUNTER DINNING AREA,UNDER PREP TABLE, BEHIND THE THE GRILL AREA,UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA,AND THE GREASE CONTAINER AREA ECT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT.

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 CRACKS/CREVICES BETWEEN SHELVES AND WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST SEAL ALL CRACKS/CREVICES.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: ALL REACH IN AND UPRIGHT REFRIGERATION NEED THERMOMETERS, IN THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR UNIT, FRONT AREA,ECT

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: ALL REACH IN AND UPRIGHT REFRIGERATION NEED THERMOMETERS, IN THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR UNIT, FRONT AREA,ECT

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.