Taqueria la Esmeralda

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jan 24, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   4 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4 inch gap at rear exit door sweep. Must rodent proof rear exit door and maintain.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

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

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food debris and dead insects on prep area floor under and around equipment/along walls. Must detail clean floor throughout prep area and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed small hole/gap in wall above 3-compartment sink. Must seal hole/gap in wall above 3-compartment sink and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

2. Mar 22, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Provide cover at receptacle inside the washroom

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

3. Mar 11, 2024 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical7 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Interior of ice machine compartments not clean (interior top and bin). Ice is used for human consumption. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain unit.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: We observed 6 baby roaches coming out from handles of handwashing sink in prep area,when handles is turned on.one live adult roach inside the frame of handwashing sign above handwashing sink(same sink).two live adult roaches in basement behind the reach-in and chest freezer. Must remove. Clean and contact pest control for service. Priority foundation violation :7-38-o20(a),citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Must not store clean cutting board on the back-splash of the three compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 44)

     Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Knive sare stored between prep cooler and wall,must provide knife rack

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Must provide proper sink stoppers for the three compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Three compartment sink in dishroom not maintained: faucet not reaching three compartment sink, only middle compartment not able to use compartment for wash and sanitize.faucet must reach all three compartment sink for :wash,rinse and sanitize. Priority foundation violation:7-38-025,citation issued

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must not use cardboard liner for cooking equipment or cardboard as liner for shelving. Must be smooth and cleanable.----interior and exterior of the gas stove and deep fryer with excessive grease and food debris. Must clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Provide cover at receptacle inside the washroom

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

4. Apr 11, 2023 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Found pots to large to properly wash, rinse,and sanitize inside 3 compartment sink.must remove or provide written procedure to wash, rinse, and sanitize large pots.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention devices at mop sink faucet.must provide where they can be serviced and located.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Found previous core violation not corrected from report dated 6-22-22 inspection# 2559715.violation 58.observed incomplete allergen awareness training. Instructed to ensure that any employee that has a city of chicago foodservice manager certificate completes allergen awareness training and receives allergen awareness certificate. Priority foundation.citation issued.7-42-090.must provide.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

5. Jun 22, 2022 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   2 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed plastic grocery bags being used to store food items in freezers located in basement area. Instructed to use food grade bags or containers to store food items.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dirty floors with food debris/spills throughout kitchen preparation area. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed incomplete allergen awareness training. Instructed to ensure that any employee that has a city of chicago foodservice manager certificate completes allergen awareness training and receives allergen awareness certificate.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

6. May 4, 2021 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

7. Apr 23, 2021 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   3 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site. Instructed to provide verification for each employee at all times. Priority foundation. 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed cooked pork at improper cold holding temperature at 45.3f in prep cooler. Also observed red salsa found at 47.7f, shelled eggs found at 44.6f, and papas chorizo found at 44.7f in prep cooler. Proper cold holding temperature must be at 41.0f or below. Instructed to discard and denature food. All food weighing approximately 75 lbs at a cost of $125.00. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper ambient temperature inside of prep cooler at 45.9f. Proper ambient temperature inside of cold holding unit must be at 41.0f or below to store tcs food items at proper cold holding temperature. Cooler is tagged and held for inspection. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper thawing of three boxes of beef stored in 1-compartment sink. Instructed to store in refrigeration at 41.0f or below or place under running water.

     Official wording (code 35)

     Approved thawing methods used

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed waste water pipe over soda glass bottles (jarritos) in basement. Must remove soda away from waste water pipe to prevent dripping onto item. Another option is to cover and protect waste water pipe.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from 8/20/2020, report #2386280. #51-must provide beck flow prevention for utility sink faucet with hose attached. #55-noted clutter of equipment and other unused items on floors in basement storage rooms.must elevate all items to allow cleaning and remove all unnecessary items. #57-observed no food handler's training certification from employee. Instructed that all employee's must comply with food handler's training in accordance with the food handling regulation enforcement act. #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.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

8. Aug 20, 2020 Conditional

   License · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical6 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employees health policy.must provide and maintain.(priority foundation-7-38.010-no citation issued)

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no clean-up of vomiting and diarrhea procedure and clean-up kit on premises during inspection. Instructed to have said procedure along with required equipment for clean-up. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed use of unprotected wood on shelving use to raise ice machine. Must use smooth easy cleanable materials for shelving in food storage

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide beck flow prevention for utility sink faucet with hose attached

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted clutter of equipment and other unused items on floors in basement storage rooms.must elevate all items to allow cleaning and remove all unnecessary items

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must repair holes in walls in basement area above reach in coolers.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed that mops have been stored on floors in rear area must place mops over mop sink in position that can allows them air dry with out soiling walls and floors

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from floor along wall bases in basement area, and must clean ceiling and wall connection from old spider webs and dust in same area

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handler's training certification from employee. Instructed that all employee's must comply with food handler's training in accordance with the food handling regulation enforcement act.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: 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.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required