Taqueria El Malecon

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

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

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoops stored inside ice machine. Must properly store ice scoops in a clean container to prevet contamination.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking faucet base at the 3-compartment sink locatedin rear kitchen food prep area. Must repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed grease and dirt build up on floor behind all cooking equipment, unernetah food preparation tables, and under and ice machine. Must clean and maintain at all times.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed several water damaged ceiling tiles in front dining area and rear prep area above walk-in cooler. Must repair replace and maintain at all times.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and reorganize rear storage room. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violtions not corrected from inspection report# on #47. Observed rust on storage shelves in walk-in cooler. Instructed the person in charge to remove rust and ensure all nonfood-contact surfaces remain smooth and easily cleanable. #39. Observed boxed food and bulk food containers being stored on floor in the walk-in cooler in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches from floor and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed boxed food and bulk food containers being stored on floor in the walk-in cooler in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches from floor and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed multiple cutting boards with deep scratches and stains on prep surfaces throughout front and rear prep areas. Instructed the person in charge to resurface/replace cutiing boards and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed rust on storage shelves in walk-in cooler. Instructed the person in charge to remove rust and ensure all nonfood-contact surfaces remain smooth and easily cleanable.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed holes surounding piping in ceiling above hot water tank near mop sink. Instructed the person in charge to smoothly seal all holes and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Food containers stored on floor inside the walk-in cooler. Must provide proper, raised shelving to store food containers 6" off floor.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted individual to-go disposable containers and bowls with no handle used for scooping serving food at the service prep coolers. Instructed to provide tongs, serving spoons, or ladle for scooping food.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Noted leakage at the hand washing sink of the prep area (cold water turned off). Also noted leakage at the bottom piping of the 3 compartment sink. Instructed to repair and maintain.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Noted the following previous core violation #58 rule #pa-100-0367 from inspection report #: 2573957 dated 04/10/2023 not corrected.found no approved allergen training certificate available . Instructed any person with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate to comply with allergen training certification. Instructed management that all food service managers are required to have the allergen training certification. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside all coolers (prep cooler, reach-in cooler, walk-in cooler)

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to label all food storage containers identified with common name (rice, beans, spices etc)

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to rodent proofed bottom of front and rear exit door.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain rear outside garbage area. Noted dried leaves under and behind garbage dumpster.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and reorganize rear storage room. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace missing light shield above front and in rear prep/dishwashing area.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed a torn door gasket inside of the 2 door prep line cooler.instructed to replace the torn door gasket and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed rust on the wire storage racks in the walk-in cooler.instructed to remove rust and repaint or replace the shelves.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Backflow prevention device not located at ice maker.must install so backflow prevention device may be located to be serviced and maintained.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace water stained ceiling tiles at rear near the walk-in-cooler and provide missing light shields for light fixtures same area and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoope stored inside ice machine. Instructed to store outside of direct contact with ice.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board in front prep area covered in deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn gasket on door of coca-cola cooler used to store drinks and condiments. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed steady leak from pipe underneath 3 compartment sink and 1 compartment sink faucet repaired with shrink wrap. Instructed to repair both and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside employee toilet room. Instructed to provide.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed burnt out lightbulb in ceiling of rear prep area. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoope stored inside ice machine. Instructed to store outside of direct contact with ice.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn gasket on door of coca-cola cooler used to store drinks and condiments. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board in front prep area covered in deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed steady leak from pipe underneath 3 compartment sink and 1 compartment sink faucet repaired with shrink wrap. Instructed to repair both and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside employee toilet room. Instructed to provide.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease and grime on filters of hood over hot line. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed burnt out lightbulb in ceiling of rear prep area. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoope stored inside ice machine. Instructed to store outside of direct contact with ice.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed torn gasket on door of coca-cola cooler used to store drinks and condiments. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board in front prep area covered in deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed steady leak from pipe underneath 3 compartment sink and 1 compartment sink faucet repaired with shrink wrap. Instructed to repair both and maintain in good condition.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside employee toilet room. Instructed to provide.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease and grime on filters of hood over hot line. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed burnt out lightbulb in ceiling of rear prep area. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.