Food Safety Report: Taqueria El Ranchito, 2829 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

Chicago, 60618 Illinois, United States

Report date: May 12, 2026
10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
- comments: observed no paper towel at the hand-sink in the prep area. Informed person in charge that paper towels must be available at hand sinks at all times. Food handler obtained paper towel for hand sink during time of inspection priority foundation violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

13. Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
- comments: observed bags of pinto beans, dried chilis, onions gnawed, torn and ready to prepare for service. Instructed manager to discard. All food packages shall be in good condition and protect the integrity of contents so food is not exposed to adulteration or potential contaminants. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

14. Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
- comments: must provide the date on all shellfish tags, when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served; and store all shellfish tags in chronological order for at least 90 days from the sale date. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
- comments: observed ice machine located in basment prep/storage area with a build-up of black slime substance, dripping onto ice cubes stored at below ice bin. Ice is used for human consumption. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued

21. Proper hot holding temperatures
- comments: observed the following food not meeting require temperature of 135f degrees or above in the designated hot-holding unit: al pastor 109. 4f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 5 lbs of products worth $50. 00 through denaturing process. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

23. Proper date marking and disposition
- comments: observed ready to eat, temperature control for safety foods (beans, rice, chicken soup, beef). Not properly dated, stored longer than 24 hours inside walk-incooler. Instructed to provide proper date marking with disposition date for rte foods prepared on site and held over 24hours in cold holding units. Reviewed proper date labeling of prepared tcs foods. Ing unit: al pastor 109. 4f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 500 lbs of products worth $15000. 00 through denaturing process priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

36. Thermometers provided & accurate
- comments: observed no ambient air thermometers inside the reach in coolers and display coolers. Instructed to provide conspicuous and easily readable thermometers inside all refrigerator units to properly monitor the ambient air temperature of equipment.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed rodent infestation. Live mice and rat observed in basement over 350 droppings in the following areas throughout: dining room, 1st floor prep, basement prep and on shelves in basement, chest freezer throughout basement, on dried pinto bean storage , on onions under the stairs in dry storage area, along baseboards and under in stored items throughout the southeast side of the basement rear south basement. Instructed to remove all droppings, sanitize all affected areas have pest co. Service for rats and mice. Priority violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed food containers stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units.

43. In-use utensils: properly stored
- comments: observed scoops for dry storage containers being stored directly inside of the container. Instructed to properly store all utensils between use.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: observed pallets being used as shelving throughout the walk in cooler/ walk in freezer and basement storage areas. Must remove pallets and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: observed rusted and food encrusted storage racks in walk in cooler, surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to clean and maintain

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: observed broken lid of chest freezer in rear prep instructed to repair or replace lid and maintain

53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
- comments: observed no covered receptacle for proper disposal of sanitary napkins in all-gender washroom. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed 2 living quarter in basement where beds, dressers and personal items area instructed to remove all items priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed ceiling in basement prep/ storage to be falling apart due to leaking pipe instructed to repair leaks and replace broken ceiling (drywall)

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed in womaens toilet room missing base tile and unfinished wall under hand sink instructed to repair and maintain

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed in womens toilet room missing outlet cover instructed to provide outlet cover and maintain

60. Previous core violation corrected
- comments: noted continued non-compliance from report #2629316 conducted on 01/06/2026. Previous core violations not corrected: (#37) 3-302. 12: **c** food storage containers identified with common name of food must label food storage cotainers when food is not in the original container. Must label with the common name at all times. (#47) 4-101. 19: **c** nonfood-contact surfaces observed tin foil on bottom of prep tables in kitchen food preparation area. Must remove and provide all surfaces to be non-corrosive, smooth and easily cleanable surfaces. Observed rusty bottom of food prep tables in rear food preparation area. Must repaint/refinish to remove dust and provide a non-corrosive smooth, easily cleanable surfaces. (#47)4-501. 12: **c** cutting surfaces observed cutting boards in rear prep area with open seems and dark stains. Instructed to refinish or replace damaged or stained cutting boards and maintain at all times. (#47)4-102. 11: **c** characteristics- single-service and single-use observed frozen food items stored in plastic grocery bags inside chest freezers in main kitchend food prep area and basement food storage area. Instructed to provide use proper food grade bags or containers only. (#47)4-501. 11: **c** good repair and proper adjustment- equipment observed damaged door gasket at the 2-door tall refrigerator located in front of the food preparation area. Must repair or replace and maintain at all times. (#49) 4-602. 13: nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Observed an excessive amount of ice and dirt build up inside all chest freezers located in rear food preparation area and basement food storage area. Must removed excess ice build up and detail clean and maintain. Observed grease and dirt build up on the exterior and interior surfaces of all the cooking equipment, prep tables, refrigeration units, food storage shelving in main kitchen food prep area. Must clean and maintain at all times. (#49)4-601. 11(b): (b) the food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. Must not use cardboard for liner on shelving inside walk-in cooler. Must be smooth and cleanable. (#55) 6-501. 16: **c** drying mops observed mops stored on floor in rear dishwashing area. Must place mops in position that can allow them air dry without soiling walls and floors. (#55) 6-201. 11: **c** floors, walls, and ceilings- cleanability observed dirt and food debris build up on floor and surfaces throughout premises. Instructed above to clean and maintain underneath around and behind cooking equipment, under food storage shelving, prep tables, dishwashing area. Must clean floor throughout the premises and must maintain at all times. Observed excessive dust and dirt build up on walls behing cooking equipment, behind coolers and freezers and prep tables in main kitchen food prep area. Must clean and maintain at all times. (55)6-501. 13: **c** cleaning floors, dustless methods observed accumulated dirt and grease on floor drains throughout premises. Must clean floor drains and maintain at all ties (#55)6-501. 12: **c** cleaning, frequency and restrictions observed accumulation of dust and grase build up non-ventilation hood and filetrs above cooking equipment. Must clean and maintain. (#55)6-501. 11: **c** maintained in good repair, facilities (facilities not in good repair) observed a few waters damaged ceiling tiles above chest freezer in rear dishwashing area/food storage area. Must repair or replace. Observed broken, cracked, missing, damaged floor and walls tiles behing prep tables and behing refrigeration units in main kitchen food preparation area. Must repair replace all affected areas and maintain. Must remove all uneven spray foam sealant along baseboard coving throughout rear dishwashing area. Observed peeling paint on wall in rear dishwashing area and basement. Must repaint and maintain. Observed big openings into ceiling and around pipes on basement food storage area. Must seal all openings and maintain at all times. Must correct core violations by the date on the report. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

Source: chicago.gov