Food Safety Report: La Costa, 3119-3121 N Central Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

3119 North Central Avenue, Chicago, 60634 Illinois, United States

Report date: May 16, 2023
37. Food properly labeled; original container
- comments: observed squeeze bottles in cold holding units not labeled with common name. Instructed manager to label squeeze bottles and all food items not in the original container with common names.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed dead mouse in second floor storage area next to food storage table along wall. Instructed to remove and contact pest control to prevent pest activity, clean floor.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed a missing splash guard between hand washing sink in bar area and small shelf next to hand sink. Exposed food and utensils stored on both sides of hand sink. Instructed to provide splash guard and maintain.

43. In-use utensils: properly stored
- comments: observed knives in cold holding units in kitchen prep area shoved into side of cold holding units. Instructed manager that knives should be stored in knife racks when not in use.

44. Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
- comments: observed pots and pans in front kitchen prep area not inverted. Instructed manager to invert pots and pans to prevent contamination.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: observed ice machine bin in kitchen prep area with a buildup of a pink and black moldlike substance inside bin on wall, on ice shield and on cover at bottom. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain in good condition to prevent contamination of ice. Observed soda nozzle holder with a pink gel like substance inside instucted manager to detail clean and maintain in good condition.

51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
- comments: observed leak from drain pipe of bar area three compartment sink. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition. Observed leak from drain pipe of three compartment sink in rear prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain.

53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
- comments: observed no covered trash receptable in second floor unisex employee washroom. Instructed to provide and maintain.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed debris buildup on floors underneath ice machine and walls surrounding ice machine. Standing water and litter on floor under bar equipment. Instructed to detail clean and maintain. Observed black mold-like substance on tubing under ice bin in bar area instructed manager to detail clean and maintain. Observed dusty vent cover of ice machine, instructed manager to clean and maintain. Observed area around grease traps of three compartment sinks with buildup. Instructed to detail clean and maintain. Observed dusty vent cover and stains on walls in first floor unisex employee washroom. Instructed to clean and maintain. Observed dusty vent cover in first floor women's washroom instructed to clean and maintain.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed holes around pipes on top of ice machine. Instructed to smoothly seal and maintain. Observed hole in wall behind sprayer of dish washing area. Instructed to smoothly seal hole and maintain. Observed holes in wall behind dish machine. Instructed manager to seal smoothly and maintain. Observed missing baseboard on wall underneath three compartment sink in prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain. Observed wall piece above door to walk in freezer next to three compartment sink hanging down. Instructed manager to repair and maintain. Observed broken tile on pillar in front of rear grill area. Instructed to repair and maintain. Observed hole behind toilet of second stall in first floor women's washroom. Instructed to smoothly seal and maintain. Observed stained ceiling tiles in first floor women's washroom. Instructed to replace and maintain.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed top of ice machine cluttered with trays instructed manager to organize, clean and maintain top of ice machine.

57. All food employees have food handler training
- comments: observed food handlers with manager certificates. Instructed manager to enroll employees in food handler training.

58. Allergen training as required
- comments: observed only one manager with allergen training. Instructed manager to enroll all certified food service managers in allergen training and maintain proof of training on site.

59. Previous priority foundation violation corrected
- comments: previous priority foundation violations, from 5/08/23 inspection (report #2575557) not corrected: #38-observed two roaches crawling on door hinge of cold holding unit in rear grill area. Observed 5 mice droppings in bar area along wall base next to cabinet, and 5 mice droppings in small area underneath stairs in kitchen area. Observed approximately 65 mice droppings in second floor storage room underneath shelving and along walls. Observed 20 live small flies in bar area and approximately 40 live small flies in rear food prep and utensil washing areas. Instructed manager to detail clean all surfaces and contact pest control for service to eliminate and prevent further pest activity. #25-observed menus inside establishment not identifying carne/steak section of the menu with an asterisk identifying that these items are served cooked to order. Instructed manager to asterisk and link items in carne/steak section of the menu to comply with consumer advisory. #54-observed grease drippings on edges of outside grease container. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain in good condition. Priority violation. 7-42-090 citation issued.

Source: chicago.gov