Taqueria El Sauz

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace thermometer inside cooling unit located in front prep area and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed prep table shelving with accumulated dried food debris on surfaces, instructed to clean and maintain free of soiled residues.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed grease receptacle with exterior surfaces with excess buildup of grease and food. Instructed to clean and maintain in order to prevent pest harborage.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed floors in front prep alongside and underneath all heavy equipment, rear prep under prep tables, walk in cooler and rear storage in need of cleaning. Instujcted to provide and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-501.12 cutting boards with open seams and dark stains. Must refinish or replace damaged or stained cutting boards.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-202.16 observed rusted storage racks above three compartment sink, surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to remove rust or replace storage racks.

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

Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacles in lady's bathroom. Must provide toilet room receptacle with cover for sanitary napkins and mainatin at all times

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. Must refinish or replace damaged or stained cutting boards.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed rusted storage racks above three compartment sink, surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to remove rust or replace storage racks.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles in lady's bathroom. Must provide toilet room receptacle with cover for sanitary napkins and mainatin at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted no labels for bulk storage containers (beans, sugar, dry peppers). Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed food boxes stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted some use of milk crates for elevation at the kitchen area, dishwashing area, and dry storage area. Instructed not to use milk crates for elevation to prevent hiding places for pest. Must provide appropriate shelving for storage. All food items must also be stored 6" away from the wall

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

Inspector’s note: Observed rusted storage racks above three compartment sink, surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to remove rust or replace storage racks.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean walls and floors around, behind and under kitchen equipment, inside walk in freezer, and rear dry storage area where needed.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed two missing filters at kitchen hood. Instructed manager to install and maintain.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Upon arrival i observed food handlers without proper hair restraints; instructed to provide and maintain at all times. Corrected on site.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the following: can opener blade at prep table needs cleaning, clean meat slicer at prep table, clean bottoms of prep tables and cooking equipment (bottoms of fryer) where needed.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Nstructed to clean walls and floors around, behind and under kitchen equipment where needed.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the following: can opener blade at prep table needs cleaning, clean meat slicer at prep table, clean bottoms of prep tables and cooking equipment (bottoms of fryer) where needed.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean walls and floors around, behind and under kitchen equipment where needed.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from 1/12/22 as required; must correct. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 issued. #57 instructed that al food handlers must obtain the required food handler training. #58 instructed that all city of chicago food service managers must obtain the required food allergen training.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the exterior surfaces of grill and stove in need of cleaning. Also clean bottoms of prep tables where rust observed.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the exterior surfaces of grill and stove in need of cleaning. Also clean bottoms of prep tables where rust observed.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed that waste receptacles in the womens washroom must have a cover; must provide and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean floors under and behind kitchen cooking equipment and in storage room under shelves.

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: No written protocol as required. Instructed to have a written record describing protocol for checking proof of vaccination in public places.

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: No records of employee vaccination status or weekly testing per osha. Instructed to provide and maintain on site.

Miscellaneous public health order.

Inspector’s note: No signage requiring proof of vaccination. Instructed to post signage at entrance door to show proof of vaccination required to dine in at location.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 3-302.12 Inspector Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 3-304.14 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON CUTTING BOARDS AND GRILL TABLES.MUST PLACE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 3-304.12 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE ON TOP OF ICE.MUST REMOVE AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D) Inspector Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-903.11(A;C) Inspector Comments: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-102.11 Inspector Comments: MUST ELIMINATE GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-501.11 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR HINGE IN POOR REPAIR ON WALK IN COOLER AND WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 3- DOOR VEGETABLE REACH IN COOLER.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-301.12 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL OVER SIZED POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE SMALL EQUIPMENT OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-601.11(C) Inspector Comments: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON GRILL TABLE,FRYER CABINET,EYE STOVE,STEAM TABLE.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-301.16 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A DUMP SINK IN DRINK/JUICING PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

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

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 5-501.17 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 6-501.13 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLERS AND THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 4-202.18 Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE MISSING FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Violation Codes: 6-501.14 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FILTERS AND HOOD AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT

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

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

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

Inspector’s note: Observed contamination of food during preparation.observed an appx.50 gallon pot with 30lbs. Raw beef in the pot with water that was filled up from and sitting on top at mop sink basin to be cooked.product was discarded by manager.must use only potable clean water to prep food with.appx. 30lbs. $90.(priority foundation 7-38-005)(citation issued)(cos)

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no barrier at entry to food preparation area to prevent cross contamination from customers.must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38-005)(consolidated violation)

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths on cutting boards and grill tables.must place wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop inside of ice machine on top of ice.must remove and store in a clean container.

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

Inspector’s note: Must invert multi-use utensils on shelving units.

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

Inspector’s note: Must store plastic wear with handles in upright position.

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

Inspector’s note: Must eliminate grocery bags used for food storage and provide food grade bags.

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

Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace door hinge in poor repair on walk in cooler and worn door gaskets on 3- door vegetable reach in cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed incorrect chemical test kit for 3- compartment sink.must provide chlorine test strips for checking sanitizing solution at 3- compartment sink.(priority foundation 7-38-005)(citation issued)

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

Inspector’s note: Observed several over sized pots to large to be submerged into 3- compartment sink.must provide small equipment or provide a larger sink

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed grease and food debris build up on grill table,fryer cabinet,eye stove,steam table.must clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Must provide a dump sink in drink/juicing prep area and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide a lid on garbage can in women's toilet room.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up on floor in walk in coolers and throughout prep and dish washing areas.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Must replace missing filters at hood of cooking equipment.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up on filters and hood at hood of cooking equipment

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Remove dead bugs and dust from window ledges, maintain at all times.