Pepe's Taco

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.112 observed dead insects under the shelves in the rear dry storage area. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed single service spoons not inverted in prep area and single service containers stored on floor in rear storage area. Instructed manager to invert and elevate all single service articles to protect from contamination.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking drainpipe under hand washing sink in women washroom. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no waste receptacle at hand washing sink inf ront counter area. Instructed manager to provide waste receptacle in all areas waste is commonly discarded.

Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles not inverted in prep area. Instructed manager to elevate all single service articles to protect from contamination.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in women washroom. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Found no metal stem thermometer to take internal temperature of tcs foods on site. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Found one female employee in the food prep area not wearing a hair restraint. Instructed manager to have all entering the food prep area to wear a hair restraint. Maintain same.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Found wiping cloths not properly stored when not in use. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution (must be at the required ppm) when not using. Maintain same.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Found the can opener with rust, food and dirt build up. Instructed manager to clean and maintain the can opener.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Found the ice machine interior with rust, dirt and pink build up. Instructed the manager to detail clean and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found the interior of the deep fryers with thick dirt, food and grease build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found the floors under/around the cooking/cooling equipment, in the corners throughout the rear storage and front prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors throughout.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Found no metal stem thermometer to take internal temperature of tcs foods on site. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Found one female employee in the food prep area not wearing a hair restraint. Instructed manager to have all entering the food prep area to wear a hair restraint. Maintain same.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Found wiping cloths not properly stored when not in use. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution (must be at the required ppm) when not using. Maintain same.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Found the can opener with rust, food and dirt build up. Instructed manager to clean and maintain the can opener.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Found the ice machine interior with rust, dirt and pink build up. Instructed the manager to detail clean and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found the interior of the deep fryers with thick dirt, food and grease build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found the floors under/around the cooking/cooling equipment, in the corners throughout the rear storage and front prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors throughout.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle in women washroom. Instructed manager to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing and damaged wall tiles in men and women washrooms. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle in women washroom. Instructed manager to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing and damaged wall tiles in men and women washrooms. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed over 50 mice droppings scattered on shelving units, 10 mice droppings scattered on cardboard boxes, 10 mice droppings scattered on multi-use lids, 10 mice droppings scattered on floor near water heater and carbon dioxide tanks, 20 mice droppings scattered on floor under shelving units and along walls in front beverage prep area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop laying on ice in ice bin. Instructed manager to store handle up to prevent contamination.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle in women washroom. Instructed manager to provide.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed front lid missing on outside garbage dumpster. Instructed manager to replace missing lid on dumpster, lids shall be tight-fitting. Observed grease spilled on ground and top of container in outside garbage area. Instructed manager to clean and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-020(b) citation issued

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing and damaged wall tiles in men and women washrooms. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: Observed no mask required signage inside business. Instructed manager to post mask requirement signage at least one location inside business. Public health order 2-112-340

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: Observed no written protocol for implementing and enforcing vaccination status for dine-in customers. Instructed manager to provide. Public health order 2-112-340

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: Observed no procedure or records relating te employee vaccination status or weekly testing. Instructed manager to provide. Public health order 2-112-340

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed upper panel of ice machine not clean. Instructed to clean/maintain.

Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

Inspector’s note: Observed precooked foods not properly labeled. Instructed pic to label with dates and times (fifo).

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping clothes laying on the counter top. Instructed manager to properly store wiping clothes in sanitizing solution when not in use.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed pic to clean the interior of the ice machine.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observer the floor in poor repair inside the walk in freezer. Must repair and maintain smooth and easily cleanable.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean the floors inside the walk in freezer and in the storage areas to remove spills and debris.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation (58) allergen training not corrected from report #2282639 date 4-4-19. Instructed manager to comply with the allergen training requirements. No allergen awareness for pic. Instructed that all managers with the city of chicago food sanitation certificate must have the allergen awareness training. Priority foundation citation issued #7-42-090.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed no metal stem thermometer for taking food temperatures. Must provide. Priority foundation

Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

Inspector’s note: Observed foods not in original container not labeled. Instructed that all foods not in original packaging must be properly labeled.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Unable to locate backflow preventer device on ice machine. Instructed that backflow preventer device must be located to be serviced and maintained.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Any washrooms used by females must have a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.must provide.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Clean interior of fryer cabinets and fan covers in walk-in cooler.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Repair hand dryer in men washroom.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Store mop head upright to prevent insect breeding.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Store ice scoop handle up in ice bin to prevent bare hand contact.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Tissue holder device on wall in both washroom in poor repair,( very loose).must repair or replace holders.

Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violation not corrected from report #1561562 on 7-24-15 and serious violation from report #1631360 on 2-4-16: 45-instructed to meet the food handler requirements. No food handler certificates available during inspection. Instructed manager to provide food handler certificates for all employees. Serious violation 7-42-090

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Replace damaged foor tiles near 3-compartment sink.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Provide separate area for employee belongings, purses etc outside of food prep area.

Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations not corrected from report #1561562 on 7-24-15: 32-instructed to remove rust from the can opener and storage racks in the prep area and inside coolers. Instructed to replace the worn rubber gaskets and provide handle on the top door of the prep reach-in cooler .maintain same. 35-instructed to replace the missing wall tile behind the cooking equipment in the prep area and in the rear behind the mop sink(lower wall). Instructed to fix the leak at the base of the faucet on the mop sink and maintain. Instructed to store all wash cloths in sanitizing solution when not in use. 45-instructed to meet the food handler requirements. Serious violation 7-42-090

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Remove rust deposits on interior surfaces of ice machine.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Clean and sanitize interior and exterior of all cooking equipment, prep tables, sinks, knife rack.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Replace damaged floor tiles near 3-compartment sink.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Provide separate area for employee belongings, purses etc outside of food prep area.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to remove rust from the can opener and storage racks in the prep area and inside coolers.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace the worn rubber gaskets and provide a handle on the top door of the prep reach in cooler. Maintain same.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the interior of the deep fryers, the ice machine, all storage racks in the prep and in the coolers and the can opener.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the floors under/around the cooking equipment.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace the missing wall tile behind the cooking equipment in the prep area and in the rear behind the mop sink (lower wall).

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to fix the leak at the base of the faucet on the mopsink and maintain.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly store the ice scoop in the rear and to store all wash cloths in sanitizing solution when not in use.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Instructed to meet the food handler requirements.

Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock

Inspector’s note: No sanitizer test kit, instructed to provide and maintain. Serious violation 7-38-030

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to remove rust from the can opener and storage racks in the prep area and inside coolers.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace the worn rubber gaskets and provide a handle on the top door of the prep reach in cooler. Maintain same.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the interior of the deep fryers, the ice machine, all storage racks in the prep and in the coolers and the can opener.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the floors under/around the cooking equipment.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace the missing wall tile behind the cooking equipment in the prep area and in the rear behind the mop sink (lower wall).

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Instructed to fix the leak at the base of the faucet on the mopsink and maintain.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly store the ice scoop in the rear and to store all wash cloths in sanitizing solution when not in use.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Instructed to meet the food handler requirements.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Clean bottom compartment of deep fryers,has grease build-up inside compartments

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Clean floors in the prep area,along wall base and corners

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must provide a splash guard at the exposed handsink next to 3 compartment sink

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Clean floors in the rear storage room,along wall base and corners

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Remove rust deposits inside ice machine.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Install back flow device on utility sink.

No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

Inspector’s note: Observed 20-30 mice droppings on floor in southwest corner under soda dispenser shelves, 10-15 mice droppings in southeast corner behind carbon dioxide tanks, 10-15 mice droppings along north wall near rear door, 10-15 mice droppings on unused beverage dispenser along south wall, 10-15 mice droppings on shelving along east wall in rear storage area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Rear door not rodent proofed, 1/4" gap on bottom of door, seal all outer openings on door to prevent pest entry. Serious violation 7-38-020 citation issued.

Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violation not corrected per municipal code of chicago from report #545777 on 1-26-12. 38-must repair leaky faucet at the three compartment sink. Must properly extend waste line from the island oasis juice machine into a floor drain. Serious violation 7-42-090 citation issued.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Remove rust deposits inside ice machine.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Clean floors along walls and in all corners in storage areas.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Seal all openings in ceiling around pipe fittings in rear storage area. Store all stock away from walls for easy cleaning and pest control.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: Provide light shields in front beverage area.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Install back flow device on utility sink.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Store mop head upright to prevent insect breeding. Remove unused equipment in rear storage to prevent pest harborage.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must remove rust from shelving racks in the walk in cooler and repaint with a light colored non toxic paint or replace.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean the can opener.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors under all shelving racks,along side walk in freezer and under and behind all heavy equipment.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky faucet at the 3 compartment sink. Must properly extend waste line from the island oasis juice machine into a floor drain.

No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

Inspector’s note: Noted evidence of rodents on site. Found approximately 25-30 mice droppings scattered under shelves and along walls in the rear storage area and along side walk in freezer. Must remove droppings,sanitize affected areas and have the pest control company service areas. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.

* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

Inspector’s note: No city of chicago foodservice manager on site while potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served. Must provide. Serious citation issued 7-38-012

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must remove rust from shelving racks in the walk in cooler and repaint with a light colored non toxic paint or replace.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean the can opener.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors under all shelving racks,along side walk in freezer and under and behind all heavy equipment.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky faucet at the 3 compartment sink. Must properly extend waste line from the island oasis juice machine into a floor drain.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector’s note: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL/DATE COOKED FOODS-FIFO.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. OBSERVED TABLE CAN OPENER NOT CLEAN,MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE.