Taqueria Morelia

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

Inspector’s note: Observed dead crawling insects in rear near restroom and in basement in corners. Instructed to remove, detail clean, sanitize, and maintain.

Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed plates in prep area above prep cooler not inverted. Instructed to invert plates after sanitizing and air drying.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed mop in a position that does not allow to dry properly and prevent pest harborage. Must store mop after use in a mounted position that allows for air-drying without soiling and pest harboraging.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed broken floor vent in restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must properly label food storage containers when food is not in the original container.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on top of food prep tables. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

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

Inspector’s note: All stored items throghout the rear storage areas and basement. Must be elevated from the floor.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn rubber door gasket in front 2-door tall refrigerator. Must repair or replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must not use cardboard boxes or plastic grocery bags as food containers in all freezers.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed excess ice build up inside box chest freezer located in the basement. Must remove ice build up and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must not use tin foil as a liner for shelving in food prep area and cooking equipment. Must remove and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking faucet base at the 3-compartment sink located in food preparation area. Must repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed a few water damaged ceiling tiles in rear of dining area. Must repair/replace and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed peeling paint on wall north side of basement. Must repaint and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed heavy dust build up on ventilation vents in all washrooms. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed over 100 rodent droppings in the basement of the facility, including under stairs, on the side of the freezer chest, and behind the storage door. Instructed manager to service all areas affected by pests. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed hand washing sink in kitchen with no splash guard. Food items stored near sink. Instructed manager to install splash guard to prevent splash contamination.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed soilage on toilet in men's toilet room and instructed manager to clean; observed grease build up on racks above 3 compartment sink instructed manager to clean.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violations not corrected. Report #2563192, dated september 2nd, 2022, instructed the facility to #16 clean the calcium build-up inside the ice machine, #47 repair or replace broken freezer chest lid, defrost freezer in basement, and #55 clean and organize small storage room near toilet room. Observed calicum build up in basement ice machine; observed freezer chest in kitchen with broken lid and freezer chest in basement with heavy frost build up; observed storage room near toilet room with clutter. Instructed manager to address all previous core violations. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visble and accurate inside all coolers.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to label food storage contaoners identified with common name (salt, sugar, rice etc).

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair or replace broken chest freezer lid with hanging insulation (in the kitchen).

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to defrost chest freezer with excessive ice buid-up in the kitchen and in the basement.

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

Inspector’s note: Toilet room receptacle must be covered inside women's washroom (party room). Instructed to procide lid/cover.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain floors along the walls and in all corners in the kitchen, side party room and in basement storage area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean, reorganize the small storage room next to washroom to prevent pest harborage.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-101.11 observed frozen foods stored in a plastic grocery bag in the chest freezer. Management instructed to use only food grade storage containers or bags.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: 4-602.13 clean the interior surfaces of the ice machine.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: 8-404.13(b)(4) previous core violations not corrected from report #2386897 on 9/8/20: 58 - noted certified food managers on duty with no allergen training certification. Instructed management that all food service managers are required to have the allergen training certification. Priority foundation 7-42-090. No citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 20 mouse droppings on the floor behind the chest freezer in the food prep area. Management instructed to clean and remove all droppings. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed frozen foods stored in a plastic grocery bag in the chest freezer. Management instructed to use only food grade storage containers or bags.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Clean the interior surfaces of the ice machine.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from report #2386897 on 9/8/20: 51 - backflow prevention device not located at the ice machine in the basement area. Must install a backflow prevention device or air gap between the water supply inlet and the unit so it may be located to be serviced and maintained. 53 - must provide toilet room receptacle with cover for sanitary napkins in unisex bathroom. 58 - noted certified food managers on duty with no allergen training certification. Instructed management that all food service managers are required to have the allergen training certification. Priority foundation 7-42-090. No citation issued.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed that employee wore bracelets on hands while working with food.must remove all jewelry except plain wedding band from hands while working with exposed food

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wet wiping cloths stored on top of the prep tables. Management instructed to store wet wiping cloths in a container of sanitizer.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn rubber gasket on door to reach under cooler in rear prep area . Instructed to repair and/or replace and maintain

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Backflow prevention devices not located at ice machine in basement area. Must install backflow prevention devices or air gap between the water supply inlet and the unit so it may be located to be serviced and maintained.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide toilet room receptacle with cover for sanitary napkins in unisex bathroom

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must remove or organize excessive clutter through out the basement storage area and small closet on first floor. Must remove all unnecessary items, properly elevate stock 6" off the floor and away from the walls for better cleaning and pest monitoring. Instructed to maintain

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

Inspector’s note: Missing cover of the fan guard of the 2 door reach in cooler close to the front entrance door. Must provide cover and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the fan guard of the 2 door reach in cooler with dust build-up close to the entrance door of the kitchen.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Must provide food handlers certificate for the two employees handling foods.

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

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations not corrected from report #1982297 dated 1/30/17. #30-cooked/prepared foods out of original containers stored coolers must have label/date and maintain. #32-observed torn gaskets at the kitchen 2 door prep cooler.instructed to replace and maintain. Serious violation 7-42-090.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing cover of the fan guard of the 2 door reach in cooler close to the front entrance door. Must provide cover and maintain. Remove grocery bag being used to store frozen and produce product. Replace with food grade storage bag. Defrost chest frezzer in the basement with heavy ice accumulated and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the fan guard of the 2 door reach in cooler with dust build-up close to the entrance door of the kitchen.

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

Inspector’s note: Ceiling vent cover in all 4 washrooms with heavy dust accumulated. Must clean,remove dust and maintain.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Must provide food handlers certificate for the two employees handling foods.

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

Inspector’s note: Cooked/prepared foods out of original containers stored coolers must have label/date and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn gaskets at the kitchen 2 door prep cooler.instructed to reaplace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed excessive grease build up on floors beneath the kitchen cooking equipments and hole noted on corner behind the chest freezer in basement storage areas.instructed to clean floors in detail and seal hole and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed burnt-out light bulbs in kitchen area.instructed to replace burnt-out light bulbs and maintain adequate lighting.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed broken gasket at left door of the true 2 door stand-up-cooler.instructed to repair/replace broken gasket and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Hole on ceiling in the basement dry storage room must be sealed also, clean and sanitize interiors of light shields throughout the premises and maintain.

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 6 live roaches crawling on wall behind the chest freezer in kitchen area.instructed to remove pests clean and sanitize all affected areas in detail. Additional pest control service is needed to minimize or eliminate the pest activity and maintain. Serious violation 7-38-020.

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

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations from inspection report# 1532756 dated:04/09/2015 are not corrected. 32 two door reach-in pop cooler door not properly closing, instructed to repair sliding doors thats not properly aligned, so door closes completely, no splash guard at exposed hand sink in prep by fryer, instructed to provide to prevent contamination, 07/09/2015 33 vents above cooking equipment not clean, instructed to clean daily, 07/09/2015 34 floor not clean under cooking equipment, basement under stairs and furnace room. Instructed to detail clean floor through-out premises. 07/09/2015 35 chipping paint in prep area, instructed to repair and properly maintain, 07/09/2015 41 unnecessary articles stored in storage rooms. First floor and basement areas, instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall. 07/09/2015. Instructed to correct all note

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

Inspector’s note: Observed broken gasket at left door of the true 2 door stand-up-cooler.instructed to repair/replace broken gasket and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to seal noticeable openings around the kitchen white paneling on walls,seal hole on upper wall near the rear exit door and hole on ceiling in the basement dry storage room must be sealed also, clean and sanitize interiors of light shields throughout the premises and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Two door reach-in pop cooler door not properly closing, instructed to repair sliding doors thats not properly aligned, so door closes completely, no splash guard at exposed hand sink in prep by fryer, instructed to provide to prevent contamination,

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

Inspector’s note: Vents above cooking equipment not clean, instructed to clean daily,

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

Inspector’s note: Floor not clean under cooking equipment, basement under stairs and furnace room. Instructed to detail clean floor through-out premises.

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

Inspector’s note: Chipping paint in prep area, instructed to repair and properly maintain,

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

Inspector’s note: Unnecessary articles stored in storage rooms. First floor and basement areas, instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Food handler training in illinois certificates at this time of inspection, must provide,

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

Inspector’s note: Multi use utensils not properly stored. Instructed to invert utensils to prevent contamination before use.

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

Inspector’s note: Three compartment sink, cutting board attached to prep table, exhaust hood and filters and cooking equipment not clean. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize all food contact surfaces.

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

Inspector’s note: Floor not clean under cooking equipment, basement unuer stairs and furnace room. Instructed to detail clean floor through-out premises.

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

Inspector’s note: Coving along walls in women toielt room and leading to basement not maintained. Instructed to install tile coving in missing areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Unnecessary articles stored in storage rooms. Instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Ice scoop not properly stored. Instructed to store in sanitize holder or container.

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

Inspector’s note: Foods inside coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.

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

Inspector’s note: Multi use utensils not properly stored. Instructed to invert utenssils to prevent contamination before use.

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

Inspector’s note: Exterior of cooking equipment, coolers and prep counter not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

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

Inspector’s note: Floor behind equipment and along wallbase not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.

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

Inspector’s note: Prep foods and dried food storage containers not labeled, instructed to date/label and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly stored clean multi-use utensils to prevent contamination.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace broken gaskets on prep reach in cooler doors.

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

Inspector’s note: Fodd debris and grease build-up on equipment, instructed to clean/sanitize; cooking equipment, coolers, chest freezers and storage shelves under front serving counter.

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

Inspector’s note: Food debris on floors, instructed to detail clean floors, under, behind equipment at corners and along walls at prep area, rear dining area, closet and basement.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide drain stoppers for 3part sink.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Noted no thermometers inside the coolers, instructed to provide.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly stored cleaning towels inside an approved sanitizer.

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

Inspector’s note: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.

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. MUST REPLACE BROKEN GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLER AND REACH IN FREEZER DOORS.

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

Inspector’s note: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN, MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN; COOLERS, FREEZER, BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SHELVES IN KITCHEN.

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

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST REPLACE BROKEN FLOOR TILES THRU-OUT KITCHEN AND CLEAN FLOORS, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AND THRU-OUT ADDITIONAL STORAGE ROOMS, WASHROOMS AND DINING ROOOM.

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. MUST REPAIR/FINISH AND PAINT WALLS THRU-OUT STORAGE ROOMS/WASHROOMS AND ENTRANCE OF THE ADDITIONAL AREAS, SEAL ALL OPENINGS/CRACKS/CRAVICES ON WALLS AND CEILING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. MUST CLEAN VENT COVERS IN WASHROOMS, REPLACE MISSING BASEBOARDS WHERE NEEDED AND CLEAN FILTER ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide adequate lighting in storage areas.

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. MUST SEAL RUSTY GREASE UNDER 3PART SINK IN KITCHEN, AND PROVIDE VENTILATION FOR ADDITIONAL WASHROOMS.

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

Inspector’s note: Must remove unnecessary articles, clean and organize additional closets and dining area. Articles must be stored off floors, away from walls to prevent pest harborage.