Taco Max, 4009 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL, USA

4009 North Elston Avenue, Chicago, 60618 Illinois, United States

Report date: May 12, 2020
15. Food separated and protected
- comments: observed raw animal origin eggs being stored in the upper compartment of the two door prep cooler directly next to ready to eat guacamole, lettuce, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes. Also raw eggs inside the tall reach-in cooler on shelving over prepared foods and a large container of shredded cheese in a cooler on top of plastic packed raw meat. Instructed to properly store all raw and prepared ready to eat foods protected. All foods removed/rearranged. Priority violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

23. Proper date marking and disposition
- comments: observed prepared tcs ready to foods held longer than 24 hours inside various coolers such as cooked beef, cooked pork with no date labeling and some prepared foods dated with a preparation date only. Instructed all prepared tcs ready to foods held longer than 24 hours must be date labeled with an expiration date no longer than 7 days. Foods discarded. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

28. Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
- comments: observed several containers of toxic cleaning items not in their original containers and not labeled in the working containers. Instructed to properly label all toxic cleaning items. Priority foundation violation 7-38-015. No citation issued.

37. Food properly labeled; original container
- comments: all bulk food and spice containers must be properly labeled with the product common name.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed basement box freezer being stored directly under waste water pipe lines and dry foods ie: bulk rice. Must remove box freezers and bulk rice or provide a protective ceiling above freezers.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed an employee preparing/filling to go containers with sauces in the unused dining room where customers have access to pick-up togo orders. Instructed all foods must be prepared in the designated food preparation areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

40. Personal cleanliness
- comments: all food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

43. In-use utensils: properly stored
- comments: broken plastic ice scoop at ice machine repaired with tape. Must replace ice scoop.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: broken/missing cooler door handles, repaired with tape. Must replace broken handles and remove tape.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: must not use tin foil as liner for equipment. All cooks line equipment, legs and wheels of equipment with excessive grease. ----interior door rubber gaskets with encrusted food debris in the rear prep meat cooler. Must clean and maintain all.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: raw wooden shelving at the front bar must be painted/sealed.

54. Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
- comments: must remove all unnecessary stored articles throughout the rear patio to prevent rodent harboring.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: all unnecessary articles stored throughout the rear basement must be removed from the premises and all other items stored organized and elevated.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: must not use cloth mats throughout the food preparation area. Mats must be easily cleanable.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: cracked, damaged and missing floor tiles throughout the bar and kitchen areas, under coolers. Must replace/repair floors to be smooth and cleanable.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: floors, baseboards and floor coving throughout entire establishment, front bar and throughout the rear prep and dish areas. Floor of outdoor walk-in cooler. All with dirt, debris and food spillage. -----wall behind cooks line equipment with excessive grease. Must clean and maintain all. -----hole in the wall behind the cooks line hot holding unit. Must seal to be smooth and cleanable. ----raw wooden wall at the three compartment sink must paint/seal to be smooth and cleanable. -----chipping, peeling paint at the three compartment sink. Must remove peeling paint. -----expanding spray foam sealant used on the raw wooden wall at the three compartment sink. Must remove to be smooth and cleanable.

57. All food employees have food handler training
- comments: no proof of food handler training or certificates for all employees including servers. Must provide.

58. Allergen training as required
- comments: no proof of allergen training or certificates for all the city of chicago certified food managers. Must provide.

Source: chicago.gov