ZACATACOS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPODING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: HANDSINK IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA BLOCKED WITH BROOM AND EMPTY PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER HOLDER IN BASIN OF SINK. INSTD TO HAVE SINK EMPTY, CLEAR, AND ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER HANDWISHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATON VIOLATION 7-38-030C. CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE MINIMUM OF 100F AND MAINTAIN. PRUORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, SEE ABOVE FOR CITATION. 7-38-030C

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HANDWASHING SINK AT WAIT/SERVING STATION NEAR REAR BY TOILET ROOMS. INSTD TO PROVIDE WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030C.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HANDWASHING SIGNS AT HANDSINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: NO DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY. INSTD TO PROVIDE ON MENU AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OVER 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN BASEMENT AND IN STAIRWELL. INSTD TO REMOVE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030A. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED PRODUCE BEING STORED IN PLASTIC, MILK CRATE TYPE CONTAINERS IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS, APPROVED FOR COMMERCIAL MULTI-USE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: PITTED CUTTING BOARDS AT BOTH PREP COOLERS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN BOARDS, REMOVE CARDBOARD LINING FROM BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTD TO HAVE SURFACE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: BASEMENT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED, UNABLE TO DRAIN PROPERLY WITHOUT RELEASING WATER AT EXTREMELY SLOW INTERVALS. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: BASEMENT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED, UNABLE TO DRAIN PROPERLY WITHOUT RELEASING WATER AT EXTREMELY SLOW INTERVALS. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.