Food Safety Report: Cafe El Tapatio, 3400-3402 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

Chicago, 60657 Illinois, United States

Report date: May 14, 2025
10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
- comments: observed no hand washing signs or posters near exposed hand washing sinks in food prep areas/dishwashing area, inside customers and employee washrooms. Must provide hand washing signs and maintain.

16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
- comments: observed food ice not protected from contamination durind storage. Observed accumulation of black and pink substance build up inside ice machine dripping into ice. Ice is being used for human consumption. Instructed to clean and sanitize interior surfaces of ice machine and maintain. Machine was clean and sanitize dusring inspection. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

36. Thermometers provided & accurate
- comments: visible and working thermometer needed in the upright refrigerator where red sauce is stored. Must provide a thermometer and maintain.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed containers of food stored on the floor inside walk-in cooler located in the basement. Must elevate containers 6 inches off the floor.

43. In-use utensils: properly stored
- comments: observed ice scoops stored on top of ice machine located in basement food storage area.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: observed 1-door prep cooler door rubber gaskets ripped in front coffee station area. Must repair and maintain cooler door gaskets. Must not use cardboard or tin floil as a liner for shelving or cooking equipment all must be smoothand cleanable.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: must not use plastic grocery bags as a food containers inside chest freezers. Must use washable containers or food grade disposable plastic bags. Must replace and maintain.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: observed excessive of ice build up inside meat chest freezer located in the basement. Must remove ice and maintain.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: must not use tint foil as a liner for cooking equipment in front preparation area. Must be smooth and cleanable.

53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
- comments: observed no covered waste receptacle provided in the unisex employee washroom. Must provide covered waste receptacle and maintain.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed clutter and unnecessary items in rear of basement. Must remove clean and organize area to prevent rodent harboage.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed dirt and food debris on floor under around and behind all cooking equipment and underneath 3-compartment sinks located in food prep/dishwashing area. Must clean and maintain. Observed water damaged ceiling above ice machine and above chest freezers. Must repair and maintain.

56. Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
- comments: employees must not store personal belongind in food storage area. Must provide a designated employee area for personal belongings.

Source: chicago.gov