Mariscos El Kora

No approval obtained for a specialized processing method.

Inspector’s note: Observed facility not meeting compliance with variance/specialized process in facility noted reduced oxygen packaging all stored in walk in freezer during time of inspection. Informed person in charge that documentation and procedures must be submitted and approved by cdph before performing such specialized food processes and must be maintained.tagged unit, materials and 75lbs of vacuum packaged food in walk in freezer. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Citation combined with violation #29

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

Inspector’s note: Observed openings at base of rear exit door and southside front outer entrance door. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove. Instructed to install left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove to prevent contamination of equipment or food.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed spoons laying down in uncovered container underneath counter in front prep/beverage station. Instructed to store utensils inverted with handles up or covered during storage.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed rust on shelving units in dry storage. Instructed to remove rust from shelving units,instructed nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material for ease of cleanability. Observed cardboard used to line shelves in rear dry storage area and observed paper towel liner for shelf on cold holding unit near cookline. Instructed to remove cardboard and paper towel shelf liners throughout facility, instructed nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material for ease of cleanability.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Unable to locate backflow prevention device on ice machine. Instructed to install backflow prevention device on ice machine so that it shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking drainpipes underneath wash compartments of left and middle three compartment sinks. Instructed to repair leaking drainpipes at said three compartment sinks.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed employee all gender employee washroom door to not be self closing. Instructed to install self closing device on all gender employee washroom door so that it shall be tight fitting and self closing.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in women's washroom. Instructed to provide covered receptacle in women's washroom for sanitary napkins.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed stove with two burners in prep area not installed under ventilation system. Instructed to have all stoves with burners installed completely under ventilation system or remove from premises.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed two non working lights in hoods. Instructed to replace or repair all non working lights in hoods and maintain. Observed dimly lit walk in cooler. Instructed to increase light intensity in walk in cooler.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Male food handler without restraint on beard. Instd to wear beard restraint and maintain

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

Inspector’s note: Observed loose gasket on single door upright cooler in prep area. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed food residue on storage shelves in rear storage hall. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed water damaged ceiling tiles in food prep area. Instructed person in charge to replace and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease residue on filters in ventilation system. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: DISPENSING UTENSILS FOR RICE IMPROPERLY STORED IN CONTAINER OF WARM WATER AND OIL. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (I.E in hot water 135F OR above , on a clean portion of the FOOD preparation table only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the FOOD preparation table is cleaned and sanitized at a specified frequency, or in a protected manner)

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

Inspector’s note: Single service spoons not inverted during storage. Instd to invert (handle up) or have pre wrapped.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Pipes leaking under both 3-compartment sinks. Instd to repair and maintain free of leaking

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

Inspector’s note: Spice containers at cooking line not labeled. Instd to label with common name and maintain same.

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

Inspector’s note: Interior top of reach in cooler near cashier in poor repair (taped). Instructed to remove tape and repair, maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Shields missing on lights in prep area. Instd to provide shields and maintain

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

Inspector’s note: Found pans and dishes in prep area not inverted. Instructed to invert dishes and pots/pans during storage, maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Rusty surface on bottom of prep shelf at grill. Instructed to remove rust and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Found top of reach in cooler near cashier in poor repair (taped). Instructed to remove tape and repair, maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Found no covered receptacle in staff unisex restroom. Instructed to provide and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Found loose ceiling vent in staff restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-101.19: rusty surface on exterior of grease traps of 3-compartment sink. Instd to remove rust and maintain

Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

Inspector’s note: Prep cooler in use at improper temperature of 54.1f. Cooler tagged and held for inspection at this time. Instd to not use until repaired and reinspected by cdph. Citation issued priority 7-38-005

Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

Inspector’s note: Improper cooling of ceviche noted. Instd to properly cool: (1) arrange in equipment (shallow pans) to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and (2) loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period to faiclitate heat transfer from the surface of the food

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

Inspector’s note: Rusty surface on exterior of grease traps of 3-compartment sink. Instd to remove rust and maintain

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the rear kitchen cutting board stained/pitted, next to the freezer, instructed to replace.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the #10 can opener not clean, instructed to clean and sanitize.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the front stoves and the flat grill drip tray not clean, instructed to clean.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed large pot used for octopus unable to fully submerge in 3 compartment sink, instructed to provide equipment able to fully submerge in 3 compartment sink or have writted procedure for alternative manual warewashing equipment.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the cold water handle at the utility mop sink broken, instructed to replace.(using pliers to turn on)

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed the light shield broken in the kitchen cooking area, instructed to replace the shield.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as floor mats. Instructed must remove. Cardboard is not an approved floor covering due to it being porous. All surfaces must be non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable.

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

Inspector’s note: Torn door gasket at upright freezer in prep area. Instd to replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Unclean knife in knife rack. Instd to maintain clean knives in knife rack. Interior of stove not clean, exceesive debris. Instd to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Consumer advisory not posted. Instd to have posted and visible to all customers.

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

Inspector’s note: Underneath handles of coolers with excessive debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Small fryer on site without ventilation. Instd to provide proper ventilation.

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

Inspector’s note: No consumer advisory posted in the restaurant or on the menu. Raw oysters are served. Management instructed to post a consumer advisory in the restaurant or on the menu.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the grease from the ventilation hood and filters.

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

Inspector’s note: Inadequate lighting provided in the rear storage room. Must provide adequate lighting in all areas.

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

Inspector’s note: The spray nozzle at the 3 compartment sink and 1 compartment sink both fall below the flood rim level of the sink. Must install a hook to keep the spray nozzles above the flood rim level of the sinks.