Los Arcos Authentic Mexican Food

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean, repaint or replace rusty metal storage racks behind the swing door in the kitchen.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed not to use grocery bags for food storage. Must use food grade storage bags for proper food storage inside reach-in freezer and inside reach-in cooler in the kitchen.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from inspection report# 2590058 issued on 02-26-2024 priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued #53 - women's toilet room door must be self closing. Instructed to install self closing device. #54 - observed leaves and debris on ground under and behind grease dumpster in rear outside area. Instructed to clean and maintain. #55 - instructed to detail clean and maintain floors along the walls and in all corners inside rear boiler room. Must remove unnecessary articles and clutter to prevent pest harborage. #55 - instructed to remove unnecessary articles (construction debris - plywood, wood) stored in rear outside by the garbage area. Must clean and maintain rear outside area (by the exit door) with debris and clutter to prevent pest harborage. #58 - one certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Instructed management,…

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

Inspector’s note: Women's toilet room door must be self closing. Instructed to install self closing device.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaves and debris on ground under and behind grease dumpster in rear outside area. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors along the walls and in all corners inside rear boiler room. Must remove unnecessary articles and clutter to prevent pest harborage.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to remove unnecessary articles (construction debris - plywood, wood) stored in rear outside by the garbage area. Must clean and maintain rear outside area (by the exit door) with debris and clutter to prevent pest harborage.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed food containers stored on the floor in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor and maintain.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scooper laying on top of ice in bar. Instructed the person in charge to store ice scooper in a clean container to prevent contamination and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris on the interior surfaces of all reach-in coolers in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to detail clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed hole in the wall next to the mopsink. Instructed the person in charge to smoothly seal hole and maintain in good repair.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed food splatter on wall behind three compartment sink.--- also observed food debris on floors throughout rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to detail clean wall behind three compartment sink and floors throughout rear prep area and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed hole in ceiling, located in rear office. Instructed the person in charge to smoothly seal the hole and maintain it in good repair.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease build up on ventilation hood. Must clean and maintain ventilation hood.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Womens washroom handwash sink pipe draining slowly. Instructed manager said handwash bowl pipe must drain quickly.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink faucet leaking at base. Must repair and maintain sink.

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: No written record describing the protocol for implementing and enforcing the requirements of this order. Must provide on premises.

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

Inspector’s note: Dry food storage containers and other food removed from original container must be labeled with a common name

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

Inspector’s note: Must not use plastic grocery bags as food containers inside the two door reac-in cooler and in reach-in freezer. Must use washable containers with lids or food grade disposable plastic bags. Surface must be smooth cleanable and non-absorbent material.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulated grease and food debris on walls, utility connections and equipment surfaces behind cooking line.must clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Additional stopper is needed at three compartment sink in the kitchen

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

Inspector’s note: No lid provided at receptacle inside the women's washroom,instructed to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulated dust on wall vent covers above the rear exit door. Must clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must not use cardboard boxes as matting for floors under the rubber matts. Rubber matts in the kitchen with excess encrusted grimes. Clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulated dust on wall vent covers above the rear exit door. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Dry food storage containers and other food removed from original container must be labeled with a common name

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

Inspector’s note: Must not use plastic grocery bags as food containers inside the two door reac-in cooler and in reach-in freezer. Must use washable containers with lids or food grade disposable plastic bags. Surface must be smooth cleanable and non-absorbent material.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulated grease and food debris on walls, utility connections and equipment surfaces behind cooking line.must clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Additional stopper is needed at three compartment sink in the kitchen

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

Inspector’s note: No lid provided at receptacle inside the women's washroom,instructed to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must not use cardboard boxes as matting for floors under the rubber matts. Rubber matts in the kitchen with excess encrusted grimes. Clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulated dust on wall vent covers above the rear exit door . Must clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Accumulation of grease on floor behind cooking equipment,specially behind deep fryer.instructed to clean and maintain.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from 2-5-2020,report #2359932 #55) 6-201.11 found walls not smooth and easy to clean behind preparation table and air drying shelving units. Must repair/seal. #56) 6-303.11 found burnt light fixture inside reach in cooler at front booth areas. Must replace. Priority foundation violation: 7-42-090,no citation issued

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention devices installed at mop sink faucet. Must provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found walls not smooth and easy to clean behind preparation table and air drying shelving units. Must repair/seal.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Found burnt light fixture inside reach in cooler at front booth areas. Must replace.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed no proper sink stoppers available for 3 compartment sink. Facility is using paper towels. Obtain and maintain sink stoppers for 3 compartment sink.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed wall coving and tiles mssing along wall base on right hand sink when you enter kithcen. Repair wall base and coving and maintain. Observed holes in wall base in rear of kithcen to the right of exit door. Repaiir and maintain wall to prevent pest entry.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Noted dirty wash cloths scattered at the prep tables not properly stored. Instructed to properly store all washcloths in a sanitizing solution especially when not in use.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-202.16 noted ice scoop inside the ice machine with no ice scoop holder. Instructed to provide an ice scoop holder.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.17(a) noted dirty and dusty fans at the rear window of the prep areas. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 noted floors along wall base and underneath equipment with dirt, grease and food debris

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

Inspector’s note: 6-501.111 noted over 15 live roaches on wall, floor behind the refrigeration unit and freezer and also inside the inner door rubber gasket of chest freezer. Instructed to clean and sanitize affected areas. Also noted over 5 flying insects on walls. Recommended to consult with pest control company. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a)

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Noted dirty wash cloths scattered at the prep tables not properly stored. Instructed to properly store all washcloths in a sanitizing solution especially when not in use.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-202.16 noted ice scoop inside the ice machine with no ice scoop holder. Instructed to provide an ice scoop holder.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 noted floors along wall base and underneath equipment with dirt, grease and food debris, including live and dead roaches.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.17(a) noted dirty and dusty fans at the rear window of the prep areas. Instructed to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Damaged floor tiles at the kitchen tall reach-in cooler. Must replace/repair.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall at the mop sink along tiling with open crack/crevice. Must seal.

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

Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified food manager on site during initial inspection. Manager was telephoned upon my arrival for inspection and arrived on site forty minutes later. Instructed a city of chicago certified food manager must be on site at all times while foods are being prepared and served, ie: beans in hot holding at 147.1f. Serious violation 7-38-012.

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

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations from 1-12-17 not corrected. #30-: all bulk food containers in the kitchen and front counter must be labeled.#34-clean the floor under and behind the stove, grill and deep fryer(with grease and dust build-up) and maintain.#34- missing and damaged floor tiles throughout the dining room. Must replace. 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 in the front prep two door cooler. Must not use cardboard as liner on grease trap. Must be a smooth, cleanable surface.

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

Inspector’s note: Damaged floor tiles at the kitchen tall reach-in cooler. Must replace/repair. Floor under and behind rear kitchen prep table and tall reach-in cooler with dirt and food debris. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall at the mop sink along tiling with open crack/crevice. Must seal.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Cooks line wiping cloths must be held in a clean container with a sanitizing solution.

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

Inspector’s note: All bulk food containers in the kitchen and front counter must be labeled

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the floor under and behind the stove, grill and deep fryer(with grease and dust build-up) and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing and damaged floor tiles throughout the dining room. Must replace

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

Inspector’s note: Large hole in the wall under the mop sink. Must seal/repair.

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

Inspector’s note: Excessive rust on three compartment sink grease trap. Must remove rust, or replace.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: No food handler certificates for all required employees. Must provide.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed foods not protected during storage. Raw eggs being stored in front cooler directly over uncovered fresh limes. Raw eggs being stored in the cooks line prep cooler directly over fresh, uncovered ready to eat guacamole and salsa. Instructed and reviewed proper storage for raw foods. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).

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 approximately 35 to 45 dead roaches and one live roach throughout the front counter area, rear prep area under food prep table and rear area at the washrooms. Last pest service reports from rose pest co. Dated 12-19-16 and 11-21-16 noted no pest activity. Observed large open crevice along base board under the kitchen prep table and behind the rear tall reach-in cooler where the majority of the dead roaches and live roach was noted. Also a hole in the floor at the rear washroom area. Instructed to remove all dead roaches, seal open crevice along baseboard under prep table and behind tall reach-in cooler, seal and repair broken floor tiles at the rear prep tall reach-in cooler and hole in floor at the washrooms. Recommend having pest control co. Service for roaches. Serious violation 7-38-020.

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

Inspector’s note: All bulk food containers in the kitchen and front counter must be labeled.

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

Inspector’s note: Must not use tin foil or paper towels as liner for shelving throughout the front counter area and kitchen. Surfaces must be smooth and cleanable. Shelving throughout the kitchen dirty with food debris. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the floor under and behind the stove, grill and deep fryer(with grease and dust build-up) and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing and damaged floor tiles throughout the dining room. Must replace.

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

Inspector’s note: Food splatter on wall under the three compartment sink. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Excessive rust on three compartment sink grease trap. Must remove rust, or replace.

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

Inspector’s note: All items stored throughout the rear hot water tank room must be elevated and organized and unnecessary items removed to prevent pest harboring.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: No food handler certificates for all required employees. Must provide.

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

Inspector’s note: Defrost the reach in freezer with heavy ice accumulated and maintained.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean in detail the screen on the exit door(with heavy dust accumulated) or replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the floor under and behind the stove, grill and deep fryer(with grease and dust build-up) and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Label and date all food containers with ready to eat potentially hazardous food inside the 2 door and one door reach in cooler in the kitchen prep area and 2 door reach in cooler in the front serving area.

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean in detail,remove dust build-up on the front 2 door reach in cooler and one door and 2 door reach in cooler fan guard in the kitchen/prep area and maintain. Clean in detail all the light shield of the light bulbs on the hood and above the prep area/kitchen (with grease build-up and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Seal gap between the ceiling and walls in the kitchen prep area and maintain. Clean hood/canopy in the cook line,with grease accumulated and maintain.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: No idph food handlers certificate available at this time. Must provide next routine inspection.

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

Inspector’s note: Meat stored directly in grocery bags in the reach-in freezer. Instructed to store meats in food grade storage bags to properly protect meat during storage.

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

Inspector’s note: Frost buildup on the ceiling of the reach-in freezer with broken ice pieces on the food items stored below. Instructed to defrost freezer regularly.

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

Inspector’s note: Found a compact disk, grease, and food debris buildup on the right side of the cooking equipment in the corner. Instructed to detail clean area and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: The baseboard in the women's employee/customer bathroom has ripped away from the wall due to holes in in the wall above the baseboard. Instructed to fill the cracks and holes in the wall and reapply the baseboard.

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

Inspector’s note: Paint is chipping away from the wall above the rear exit door outside of the bathooms, directly next to the exit light. Instructed to sand the remaining paint chips and provide a new smooth, easily cleanable surface and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Replace rusted food storage shelves located in the two-door refrigerator and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Repair drywall hole in the men's employee/customer washroom. The wall was opened up to repair the frozen pipe. Instructed to repair wall and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Found the lightbulb in the reach-in cooler burned out. Instructed to replace lightbulb, provide adequate lighting inside cooler.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Found a wiping cloth stored on the prep table. Instructed to store wiping cloths in sanitizer solution in between use.

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

Inspector’s note: Over 40 mice droppings were observed in the kitchen: on top and under the shelves,under the three compartment sink and along the wall and behind the reach-in coolers. Instructed to clean ,sanitize and maintain the area mentioned.outer openings not protected. Rear door has gaps at top and side of the door,instructed to rodent/insect proof door. Serious violation:7-38-020

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

Inspector’s note: No certified food handler on premises while potentially hazardous food are handled: rice,chicken,beans etc. A certified food handler must be on premises when potentially hazardous food are handled serious violation:7-38-012

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

Inspector’s note: Burned food debris inside the oven,instructed to clean and maintain. Grease build-up inside the deep fryer,instructed to clean.

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

Inspector’s note: Employee are using paper to stop water at three compartment sinks.missing working drain stoppers at three compartment sink in the kitchen,instructed to provide. Faucet at three compartment sinks is leaking, instructed to repair.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Broken thermometer inside the prep cooler, and no thermometer inside the reach-in cooler by the rear door.instructed to provide

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

Inspector’s note: Employees personal items stored on shelves with food and food products. No personal items should be stored inside food storage,or food prep area,instructed to provide separate area away from food

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide cover for gap in wall around electrical outlet by front line handwash bowl.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide one ceiling light bulb cover/end caps above 3-compartment sink.