Carmelita's Taqueria

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and repaint or replace rusty metal storage racks in the basement prpe area (by the hand sink).

Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide 3 working drain stoppers for the 3 compartment sink.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain storage racks with food debris accumulation inside the prep cooler (behind front prep service counter) and inside the basement walk-in cooler,

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

Inspector’s note: Toilet room receptacle must be covered inside washroom. Instructed to provide lid/cover.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair and replace missing floor baseboard (by the ice machine) in basement prep/dishwashing area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain floor along the walls and in all corners in basement prep/dishwashing area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed ceiling vent covers in employee toilet room with dust build-up. Instructed the person in charge to clean, remove dust and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed some food debris on floor in rear preparation area. Instructed the person to detail clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4 inch gap along the door sweep of side exit door leading towards garbage area. Instructed manager all doors must be rodent proof.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Broken thermometers inside refrigeration units at first floor prep area. Instructed to replace

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

Inspector’s note: Prepackaged desserts not properly labeled. Must label packages with food name, ingredients, net contents, source, and list of allergens.

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

Inspector’s note: Cutting boards with open seams and dark stains in basement prep area, must refinish or replace.

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

Inspector’s note: Debris on can opener held from a nylon dirty string, clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted ice build up inside the walk in cooler on the floor and shelves. Instructed to repair and maintain the condensation unit.

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

Inspector’s note: Torn rubber gasket inside the prep service cooler by the pop cooler at first floor. Instructed to detail repair and maintain or replace. The door of prep cooler door hinges are broken, first floor. Repair. Missing release knob from inside the walk-in cooler in basement, must be replace.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Plastic baseboard detached from wall under the door of walk-in cooler. Re-seal.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Cracked caulking between wall and handwashing sink at first floor prep area,need to repair. Surface must be smooth cleanble and non-absorbent material

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention device installed at ice machine waterline. Must provide where it can be located and serviced.

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

Inspector’s note: Found trash can inside restroom with no lid. Must provide.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Found exhaust vent inside restroom not working. Must replace/repair.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed not all coolers have working thermometers. Install and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed grocery bags used to store bread. Instructed to use food grade storage bags to properly store food items at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed prepared food items in the front refrigeration units without dates of preparation. Must provide date labels for all prepared foods on premises.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Observed a cup used to dispense spices in the front preparation area. Instructed to use a handled scoop to dispense food and to store the scoop either in the food with the handle facing up or in a separate container in between use.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide light shield for the light fixture above the front prep area where hibiscus and lemonade are stored.

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

Inspector’s note: The fan ventilation unit inside of the employee washroom is not properly functioning. Instructed to repair fan vent to provide adequate ventilation in the emplyoee washroom at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Facility has 2 3-compartment sinks with only 5 stoppers. Must provide a stopper for each compartment on premises. Must provide one more additional stopper.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed employee personal items stored on a food storage rack in the basement. Personal items must be stored separate and away from any food storage and preparation areas.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Instructed to store wiping cloths in a sanitizer solution in between use.

Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

Inspector’s note: Observed foods not protected during storage. Raw eggs on open flats being stored on top shelving directly over uncovered, fresh produce, jalapeño peppers and assorted prepared foods inside the walk-in cooler. Management removed eggs. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).

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

Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified food manager present during the inspection while foods were being prepared and served such as beans at 154.4f. Instructed that a city of chicago certified food manager must be present at all time potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served. Serious violation 7-38-012.

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

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations from report #1770559 on 5-10-16 not corrected.#34- remove cardboard being used as floor mat in the kitchen prep area 1st floor. Provide rubber floor mat instead.#41-found employees clothes(sweat shirt, shirt, coat,etc) hanging on the food storage shelvings in the basement prep area. Must provide one area to put all employees clothes,not on the food storage shelve. Management removed cardboard and employee clothing during the inspection. Serious violation 7-42-090.

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

Inspector’s note: Must not use tin foil as liner for shelving/equipment on the cooks line. Must maintain a smooth cleanable surface. Management removed during the inspection.

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

Inspector’s note: Peeling paint on the walls in the employee washroom. Must remove.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Inaccurate internal thermometer in the basement walk-in cooler. Must replace.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: No proof of food handler training for all required employees noted during the inspection. Must provide.

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

Inspector’s note: Fan guard of the one door reach in cooler in the kitchen 1st floor with heavy dust accumulated. Must clean,remove dust and maintain. Must clean the food cart in the basement prep area and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean in detail the floor thru-out the basement prep area.along the wall base. All corner. Under all the food storage shelvings and maintain. Remove cardboard being used as floor mat in the kitchen prep area 1st floor. Provide rubber floor mat instead. All food containers inside the walk in cooler and walk in freezer needs to be elevated 6" off the floor.

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

Inspector’s note: Peeling paint on the walls in the kitchen/prep area. Must scrape peeling paint and re paint. Wall vent cover on the dining area with heavy dust accumulated. Must clean,remove dust and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing one light bulb on the hood/canopy. Must replace light bulb.

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

Inspector’s note: Found employees clothes(sweat shirt, shirt, coat,etc) hanging on the food storage shelvings in the basement prep area. Must provide one area to put all employees clothes,not on the food storage shelve. Unnecessary items/articles inside the small storage room beside the prep area in the basement. Must clean, organize and discard items/ articles not being use to prevent rodent/insects harborage.

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

Inspector’s note: Found a 2 inch gap at the bottom of the rear entrance/exit door that leads into the building. After you enter through the rear door, the basement staircase is down the hall on the left side and the basement door has been removed and the door to enter carmelita's main kitchen is on the right with the door propped open. Found approximately 40 mice droppings in the basement, 0 droppings were observed in the food prep area of the basement. Additional pest control service is required to minimize or eliminate activity. Instructed to remove, detail clean, and sanitize all infected areas where droppings were observed. Must install a proper door sweep on the bottom of the building entrance/exit door. Carmelita's has been propping their door that leads into the kitchen due to the air conditioning not functioning. Serious violation 7-38-020

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

Inspector’s note: Rubber trim under the walk-in cooler door is peeling away from the wall. Instructed to replace missing/ripped trim and maintain to provide a smooth easily cleanable surface.

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

Inspector’s note: Found the floors dirty in the basement prep area from dolly tires during deliveries. Instructed to detail clean the floors and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Elevate stock in the walk-in freezer at least 6 inches off the ground at all times.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Found a container of unwrapped plastic forks facing in all different directions. Instructed to store single service utensils in one direction to avoid hand contact with food contact surface of utensils.

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

Inspector’s note: Found meat stored in grocery bags in the walk-in freezer. Must store foods in food grade storage bags/containers to properly protect food during storage.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Found employees onsite with no food handlers certificate. All employees must provide a food handlers certificate at time of inspection. Information regarding food handlers certificate was provided.

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

Inspector’s note: No splash guard provided between the exposed hand sink and display prep cooler,instructed to provide with a smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent material. Observed knifes stored between the wall and three compartment sinks,instructed to provide a knife rack.

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

Inspector’s note: Working stoppers is needed at three compartment sink,presently drain is closed with plastic bag.

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

Inspector’s note: 1-door reach in cooler door rubber gaseket ripped and 2-door reach in cooler right side door hindge broken. Must repair and maintain damaged gasket and cooler door.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed food debris/food stains on exterior of handwash bowl and 3-compartment sink. Must clean sinks.

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

Inspector’s note: See report dated on 06/01/12

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

Inspector’s note: See report dated on 03/01/12

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

Inspector’s note: See report dated on 03/01/12

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

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. OBSERVED ICE BUILD UP ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ACCUMULATED ICE ON FLOOR IN FREEZER/MAINTAIN FREEZER.

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 FOOD BUILD UP ON HORCHATA/TEA DRINK NOZZLES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNCLEAN NOZZLES.

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

Inspector’s note: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. OBSERVED CRACKED/MISSING WALL TILES BY 1ST FLOOR PREP HANDWASH BOWL AND BY HORCHATA/TEA DRINK MACHINE. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED WALL TILES/SEAL GAPS IN WALL TILES.

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

Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. PREP AREAS 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS FAUCETS LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINKS.

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

Inspector’s note: A splashguard is needed between the exposed handsink and the 3 compartment sink in the basement prep area. Must install.

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

Inspector’s note: 3 drain stoppers are missing at the basement 3 compartment sink. Must provide.