Mr. Taco Mex, Inc.

April 7, 2023 · Fail

🪳cooked

official resultFail
resultFail
inspection typeCanvass
failed findings19
critical findings4

Failed findings

no certified food manager on dutycritical

Official wording: Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties
Inspector note: PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(COS)
code 1Priority
handwashing sink blocked or barecritical

Official wording: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible
Inspector note: OBSERVED MIDDLE PREP AREA HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED A CHAIR,GARBAGE CAN STORED IN FRONT OF SAID SINK AND A BAG OF TORTILLA CHIPS ON SINK BASIN NOT ABLE TO ACCESS SINK TO WASH HANDS. ARTICLES WERE REMOVED BY INSPECTOR DURING INSPECTION.MUST KEEP HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION) • OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND SINKS IN FRONT PREP AREA WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED.SOAP WAS PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS) • OBSERVED HOT RUNNING WATER TEMPERATURE AT MIDDLE PREP AREA HAND SINK AT 44.4F.MUST HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER AT 100.0F.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.HOT RUNNING WATER HAS BEEN RESTORED TO 104.4F(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 10Priority
certified manager paperwork missingcritical

Official wording: City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (EGGS,POTATO,TONGUE,HAM,ETC)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 10:00 A.M.(COS)(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 2Priority
water/temperature at the sink offcritical

Official wording: No Bare Hand Contact With Rte Food Or A Pre-Approved Alternative Procedure Properly Allowed
Inspector note: OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT BY MALE FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED HIM PUT SHREEDED LETTUCE INTO A FOAM CONTAINER WITH HIS BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS ,GLOVES OR DELI PAPER.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY HANDLER.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 9Priority
hot/cold holding temps off

Official wording: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures
Inspector note: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 20LBS. COOKED BEANS IN A POT ON THE STOVE AT 86.7F. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER. MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.APPX. 20LBS. $20.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 21
cold food not cold enough

Official wording: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures
Inspector note: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 1 OZ COOKED POTATO AT 59.0F STORED INSIDE OF PAN WITH TORTILLA STRIPS ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER .MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.10Z. $1.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
code 22
consumer advisory missing

Official wording: Consumer Advisory Provided For Raw/Undercooked Food
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENUS OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
code 25
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, & Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER USAGE OF TOXIC ITEMS SUCH AS SEVERAL TOSS PACKAGES OF RODENTICIDE SCATTER ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH PREP TABLE OF COFFEE STATION,UNDER DISH MACHINE AND IN REAR ELECTRICAL CLOSET. MUST REMOVE RODENTICIDE,CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. (PRIORITY 7-38-015)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 28
thermometers missing

Official wording: Thermometers Provided & Accurate
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER FOR FRONT PREP COOLER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
code 36
food improperly labeled

Official wording: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
Inspector note: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SHAKERS AND BUCKETS) WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
code 37
pests in the house

Official wording: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
Inspector note: OBSERVED AN INFESTATION OF APPX. 500 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT PREMISES SUCH AS BEVERAGE FOOD PREP AREA- SCATTERED ON SHELVING UNITS AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER,ON FLOOR UNDER NEATH PREP TABLE,ON LOWER SHELF AT MOTOR AND TABLE OF SODA MACHINE.MAIN PREP AREA-INSIDE OF FRYER CABINETS,SCATTERED ON FLOOR UNDER PREP COOLER AND GRILL TABLE.MIDDLE PREP AREA-INSIDE OF DRIP PAN ON BACKSIDE OF UNUSED PREP COOLER,ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH PAPER GOODS STORAGE SHELF,ON LEDGE OF MOTOR AND ON FLOOR UNDER SAME.ON TOP OF BOXES OF SODA ON POP CADDY.DISH WASHING AREA-BEHIND GREASE TRAP,ON LOWER SHELF OF STORAGE CABINETS.REAR PREP AREA-ON A BOX STORED ON SHELVING UNIT,INSIDE OF LINEN CABINET,ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES OF DISH STORAGE RACK,COOKING EQUIPMENT,ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE NEXT TO GRILL,INSIDE LOWER SHELF OF 1-EYE STOVE.ELECTRICAL CLOSET-ON FLOOR IN BETWEEN CLUTTER.CHEMICAL STORAGE CLOSET-ALONG WALL BASES AND UNDER SHELF.REAR HALLWAY-MIXED IN WITH DIRT AND CLUTTER.CHAIR STORAGE CLOSET IN DINING AREA MIXED IN WITH DIRT AND BETWEEN CLUTTER.ALSO. A DEAD MOUSE ON FLOOR UNDER PAPER GOODS STORAGE SHELF. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS. CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. MUST HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 4/7/23.(PRIORITY 7-38-020(A)
code 38
Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display

Inspector note: OBSERVED CROSS CONTAMINATION OF FOOD SUCH AS (ICE) DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE.OBSERVED A 16 OZ. BOTTLE OF PROTEIN DRINK EMBEDDED INSIDE OF ICE INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE.BOTTLE WAS REMOVED DURING INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE FROM MACHINE,CLEAN AND SANITIZE.AS WELL AS A CONTAINER OF TORTILLA STRIPS WITH A COOKED POTATO STORED INSIDE OF PAN WITH.POTATO WAS REMOVED.MUST STORE FOODS SEPERATE.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED AS WELL.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED) • OBSERVED AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON A YOUNG FEMALE IN FRONT BEVERAGE AREA HANDLING CUPS OF COFFEE AND SILVERWARE ,SERVING THE PUBLIC.EMPLOYEE TOLD ME IT WAS HER DAUGHTER THAT WAS HELPING OUT.INSTRUCTED ONLY EMPLOYEES ARE ALLOWED IN FOOD PREP AREAS.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED) • Observed no splash guard in place at hand sink located adjacent to 2 compartment sink drainboard. Instructed to provide to prevent contamination. • OBSERVED CASES OF POP STORED ON FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM , INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY IN FOOD STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
code 39
In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored

Inspector note: Observed ice scoop stored inside of ice bin with ice. Instructed to store scoop in clean container while not in use.
code 43
plumbing acting up

Official wording: Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON FRYERS, ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT, HOT HOLDING STATION INCLUDING SHELVING, STORED COOKWARE,UED AND UNUSED REFRIGERATION , CABINETS NEAR ICE MACHINE, UNDERNEATH POP DISPENSING STATION AND STORAGE RACKS,PREP TABLES,GRILLTABLES THROUGHTOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
code 49
bathroom / plumbing issues

Official wording: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
Inspector note: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE OBSERVED DRAIN LINE PIPE FROM WALK IN COOLER DRAINING WATER ON TO FLOOR AS WELL AS PIPE DRAINING WATER ON TO FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM. MUST ADD EXTENSION TO DRAIN LINE PIPE TO OPEN SITE FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN,LEAKY PIPE IN FURNACE ROOM.
code 51
floors, walls, or ceilings grimy

Official wording: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED BROKEN,DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL AND WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND WHERE NEEDED. MUST REPLACE AND REPAIR. MUST ENCLOSE THE FOLLOWING HOLES UNDERNEATH 2 COMPARTMENT SINK, HANDSINK IN MIDDLE PREP AREA AS WELL AS HOLES IN FURNACE ROOM . OBSERVED BROKEN AND HEAVY WATER STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY .INSRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES INCLUDING FLOOR DRAIN TROFT,WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER. • MUST REMOVE,ELEVATE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN ADJACENT HALLWAY NEAR REAR PREP AREA AND CHAIR STORAGE AREA.
code 55
Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Inspector note: MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDERNEATH HOOD. • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON HOOD AND FILTERS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT. • OBSERVED BROKEN LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT FACILITY . MUST REPLACE.
code 56
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
code 57
allergen training missing

Official wording: Allergen Training As Required
Inspector note: OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.
code 58

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass on January 25, 2022: 15 findings appeared for the first time. 4 findings recurred. 2 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.