Food Safety Report: taqueria tierra caliente, 3312-3314 W North Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

3312 West North Avenue, Chicago, 60647 Illinois, United States

Report date: Sep 19, 2025
16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
- comments: 4-602. 11(b-e): **c** equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils-frequency observed the ice bin interior in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove ice, clean, and maintain at all times.

37. Food properly labeled; original container
- comments: 3-302. 12: **c** food storage containers identified with common name of food observed food storage containers without labels containing the common name of foods. Instructed to provide.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: 6-202. 13: **c** insect control devices, design and installation noted electric fly trap on prep table in front & rear prep area behind counter. According to food code: insect control devices shall be installed so that the devices are not located over a food preparation area. Must relocate existing fly trap devices in direct violation of this rule.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: 6-202. 15: **c** outer openings, protected observed a 1/4" gap at the bottom of the rear exit door. Must provide a tight fitting seal at all outer openings to prevent the entry of pests.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: -501. 112: **c** removing dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents and other pests observed excessive amount of dead flies on cold holding unit and prep tables, instructed to remove all dead flies and clean and sanitize said areas

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: 3-305. 11: **c** food storage-preventing contamination from the premises observed food containers stored on the floor in rear of dining area 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.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: 3-307. 11: **c** miscellaneous sources of contamination observed sealed bags of cat litter, dog food and dog snacks on top of food prep equipment in rear, instructed remove and maintain area.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: 4-501. 11: **c** good repair and proper adjustment- equipment observed hard plastic used as liner in reach in coolers. Instructed to remove.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: 4-102. 11: **c** characteristics- single-service and single-use observed frozen chicken stored in clear garbage bags in the chest freezer and reach in coolers. Management instructed to use proper food grade storage bags and containers only.

47. Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
- comments: 4-204. 120: **c** equipment compartments, drainage observed 3-compartment sink stoppers missing for all compartments. Instructed manager must provide working stoppers at 3-compartment sink.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: 3-compartment sink. Dec 17, 2025 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. Observed grease buildup on cooking equipment, walls, surrounding floors and shelving units in the kitchen/prep areas. Instructed to degrease, clean and sanitize.

51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
- comments: 5-204. 12: **c** backflow prevention device, location (no backflow device) observed no backflow preventer device on the utility sink in rear of facility instructed to install to ensure device can be located, serviced, and maintained.

51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
- comments: 5-205. 15: **c** system maintained in good repair (in good repair) observed utility sink faucet detached, pic re-attached faucet however water spraying to the side. Instructed to repair and maintain.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-501. 114: **c** maintaining premises, unnecessary items and litter observed clutter(truck tires, toolboxes, drills) stored on floor adjacent to utility sink in rear area. Clutter throughout entire facility broken unused equipment being used to store broken equipment. Instructed manager to remove all unused articles and equipment to prevent pest harborage.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-501. 12: **c** cleaning, frequency and restrictions must clean debris build up from floor & drains under,around,along wall bases in dry food & paper storage area.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-501. 113: **c** storing maintenance tools observed facility storing maintenance tools with food storage instreucted to remove all maintenance tools and store them seperate than food products

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-201. 11: **c** floors, walls, and ceilings- cleanability observed water-stained ceiling tiles at the dining rom / storage area. Instructed to repair, replace missing panels and/or replace the stained ceiling tiles.

56. Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
- comments: 6-501. 14: **c** cleaning ventilation systems, nuisance and discharge prohibition observed an excessive amount of grease in exhaust system, with grease dripping into plastic bucket hanging off the left side of exhaust system, instructed to clean and maintain

58. Allergen training as required
- comments: 2-102. 13: **c** allergen training - all certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant must receive or obtain training in basic allergen awareness principles within 30 days after employment and every 3 years thereafter. Training programs must be accredited by the american national standards institute or another reputable accreditation agency under the astm international e2659-09 (standard practice for certificate programs). Observed the city of chicago food certified manager with no proof of allergen training certificate. Instructed all city of chicago certified food managers obtain this certificate.

60. Previous core violation corrected
- comments: 8-404. 13(b:4): **pf** enforcement by the regulatory authority (non-compliance) noted continued non-compliance from report #2604693 conducted on 10/16/2024 #55 6-501. 114: **c** maintaining premises, unnecessary items and litter observed second prep area not in use. Observed unused cooking equipment improperly stored. Remove unecessary equipment, and store all remaining equipment at least 6 inches above floor and away from walls. #57 2-102. 13: **c** food handler training (pa 100-0367 food handling regulation enforcement act) observed 2 new employees in need of food handler training. Must provide and maintain training for new employees for a maximum of 30 days after being hired. Must correct core violations by the date on the report. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

Source: chicago.gov