TORTAS FRONTERA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FOUND FACILITIES (2 DOOR DRAWER COOLER) WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS LOCATED IN FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 51.3F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, COOLER WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. COOLER WAS TAGGED 'HELD FOR INSPECTION'. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL FIXED. 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: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE. NOTED SALSA INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 50.3F, 51.2F, 52.6F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 40F AND HOT HOLDING OF 140F ABOVE. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL VALUE $22.00, TOTAL WEIGHT 7LBS. 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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE (LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK) FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF 0 PPM CHLORINE CONCENTRATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. DISH MACHINE WAS TAGGED 'HELD FOR INSPECTION'. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. A MECHANICAL DISH WASHING MACHINES SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 ? 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE). MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 25 PPM AT 120F, 50 PPM AT 75F, 100 PPM AT 55F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (EG CHICKEN, BEEF, SOUP, SALADS ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT WHEN HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012

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.

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: FOUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. DRAINPIPE LEAKING HEAVILY UNDERNEATH 3RD COMPARTMENT (FAR RIGHT) OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND ALSO PREP SINK CLOGGED IN FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030

Inadequate facilities prevent proper cleaning and sanitization of equipment.

Warewashing facilities must meet design and operational requirements.

3-compartment sink with drainboards; Mechanical dishwasher with proper temperatures; Test strips; Thermometers; Adequate size.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO RE CAULK WORN OUT CAULKING WITH BLACK MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP BEHIND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN KITCHEN HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP/COOKING AREA.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS INSIDE ELECTRICAL STORAGE ROOM BEHIND FRONT SERVICE AREA.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS INSIDE ELECTRICAL STORAGE ROOM BEHIND FRONT SERVICE AREA.

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.