Taqueria la Mexicana

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Obsered soiled wiping cloths stored on top of prep table improperly. Instructed to store inside sanitizing solution in between uses.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up dried food debris on interior surfaces of 2 door cooling unit. Instructed to remove

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed heavy grease and dried food buildup underneath fryers and grill. Instructed to remove.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 observed water-stained ceiling tiles in the women toilet room. Instructed to replace the stained ceiling tiles.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed grab & go packaged cheesecake slices in the display cooler on the front counter, not properly labeled and with missing allergen information on the labels. Instructed person in charge to properly label all packaged food items with identity, net weight, ingredients, list major allergens, business name and address where made and packaged. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wet wiping cloths on several prep surface areas. Instructed to properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution between uses to prevent contamination of equipment & food. Must maintain

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

Inspector’s note: Observed food storage containers and in-use cooking equipment/utensils (pots, pans, etc.) too large for 3-compartment warewashing sink. The informed person in charge of sink compartments shall be large enough to accommodate the immersion of the largest equipment and utensils. If said equipment or utensils are too large for the warewashing sink, a warewashing machine or alternative equipment must be provided, or a written procedure on how dishes will be cleaned on the spot. Priority foundation violation #7-38-025. Citation issued

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed mop in a position that does not allow to dry properly and prevent pest harborage located in the ulitity sink. Must store mop after use in a mounted position that allows for air-drying without soiling and pest harboraging.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed water-stained ceiling tiles in the women toilet room. Instructed to replace the stained ceiling tiles.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping clothes on prep stations. Intructed manager to properly store wiping clothes in sanitizing solution when not in use.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed water stained ceiling tiles in the rear prep/dish washing area. Must replace and maintain. Also clean the inside of the light shield in the same areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed two dead mice on basement floor; must remove. One observed by the sub pump and the other in the rear storage room of the basement.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the bottom of the fryer on the left side to remove grease and top area of stove to remove splatter.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from march 17, 2021 as required; must correct. #37 must label food storage containers when food not in original package. #39 must provide a splash guard between hand sink next to the 3 compartment sink in rear dishwashing area. #53 must provide a garbage can with a lid in womens toilet room. #58 observed no food allergen training for food managers; must provide valid certificates and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 issued.

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 labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

Inspector’s note: Observed packaged desserts on display for sale without food allergen label(flan).must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38-005)(no citation issued)

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide a splash guard between hand sink next to 3- compartment sink in rear dish washing area.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Must store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

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

Inspector’s note: Must apply a sealant or paint raw wood shelving units at front bar liquor display.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Must re-caulk hand sink in men's toilet room .

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

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

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must grout floor in basement at bottom of staircase.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris from floor under shelving units in basement.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed a few prepared food items not properly labeled. Instructed manager to label food items with the name, date and time on prepared foods inside the walk in cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed food not protected in walk in cooler, prep cooler, and 2 door cooler. Observed raw foods such as eggs, raw beef, and raw chicken stored about ready to eat foods such as soups, cooked chicken, and vegetables. Instructed must properly store all raw foods below ready to eat foods at all times to prevent contamination. Operator corrected all coolers during inspection. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Observed bowls used as scoops, resting in bulk containers (for sauces, pasta, etc.) Must properly stored all utensils outside food product, or replace with scoops with handles upright, out of food product, to prevent contamination. Must maintain same.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as a liner in the bottom of ice chest freezer in rear of kitchen. Must removed cardboard. Instructed all surfaces must be non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed excessive ice build up inside ice chest freezer in rear, and in 1 door freezer in front prep. Must defrost freezers, clean and sanitize equipment. Must maintain same.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed excessive dirt and debris build up on floors in basement dry storage area. Must clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.

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

Inspector’s note: Font prep area has prep coolers, cook line, and 3 compartment sink in bar area. Must install a dedicated exposed hand sink in front prep/bar area.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Observed wash cloths improperly stored on counters throughout kitchen. Must store all wash cloths in sanitizing solution when not in use. Must maintain same.

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

Inspector’s note: Label all bulk containers in rear and prepared food in walk-in cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: Grout loose floor tiles near 3-compartment sink.

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

Inspector’s note: Repair leaking faucet on front 3-compartment sink.

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

Inspector’s note: Elevate all stock off floor in rear storage area. Store mop head upright to prevent insect breeding.

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

Inspector’s note: Interior of reach in freezer and exterior of steam table needs cleaning.

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

Inspector’s note: Floor at hot line area needs cleaning to remove food debris also floors need cleaning in the basement.

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

Inspector’s note: In basement peeling paint on walls and opening at base of wall adjacent to stairway needs repair.

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

Inspector’s note: Drain at exposed handsink leaking.instructed management to repair. Restroom ventilation in both mens and womens restrooms need repair.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Foodhandler requirments not met.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean interior bottom of deep fryers of grease build-up.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean floors behind front service counter of food spills and at grill.

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

Inspector’s note: Remove clutter in basement organize and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean the inside of the up right freezer to remove spills.

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

Inspector’s note: Floors need cleaning along the wall base and in corners behind heavy equipment to remove debris.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirements.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the upright freezer,and box freezer not clean, instructed to defrost and clean.also need to clean front fan guard (2 door cooler).

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the ceiling vent fans dusty in both restrooms, instructed to clean and remove dust.

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

Inspector’s note: Floors throughout in need of cleaning to remove all build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall in side area in need of cleaning to remove all build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Ventilation above cooking equipment in need of cleaning to remove all grease. Must clean and maintain at all times.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Found a knife for service being stored between a prep cooler and a storage shelf. Instructed manager to store all multi use utensils in a clean sanitized manner.

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

Inspector’s note: The following in need of cleaning: all cooking equipment, interior of storage shelves in walk in cooler, and storage shelves of used utensils. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Floors through out basement area in need of cleaning, floors under and around cooking equipment with large amounts of grease build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall in rear prep area in need of cleaning to remove food splatter, wall at chip area in need of cleaning to remove all grease build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Air vent in walk in cooler with large amounts of dust build up. Instructed to clean and maintain at all times.

Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated

Inspector’s note: Found 3 compartment bar sink in poor repair. Water no draining. Instructed manager to contact plumber to repair and maintain. Serious violation 7-38-030 citation issued dishwashing facilities not maintained.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Found a knife for service being stored between a prep cooler and a storage shelf. Instructed manager to store all multi use utensils in a clean sanitized manner.

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

Inspector’s note: The following in need of cleaning: all cooking equipment, interior of storage shelves in walk in cooler, and storage shelves of used utensils. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Floors through out basement area in need of cleaning, floors under and around cooking equipment with large amounts of grease build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall in rear prep area in need of cleaning to remove food splatter, wall at chip area in need of cleaning to remove all grease build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Air vent in walk in cooler with large amounts of dust build up. Instructed to clean and maintain at all times.

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

Inspector’s note: Cooked foods in cooler not properly labeled or dated. Instd to properly label.

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

Inspector’s note: Cutting board at prep line in poor repair, pitted. Repair same.

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

Inspector’s note: Exterior of prep cooler doors and interior bottom of fryers not clean. Clean same and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Replace stained ceiling tiles in various areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Walk-in cooler drain line improperly draining into 3-compartment sink. Instd to properly route drain.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Thermometer missing in prep cooler. Provide same.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Improper food dispensing utensils (bowls) stored in rice, beans. Instd to use proper food dispensing utensils and store properly.

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

Inspector’s note: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.OPEN BAGS OF PINTO BEANS NOT IN CONTAINER. MUST PROVIDE CONTAINER/LID.

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

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CAN OPENER AT PREP TABLE IN REAR NOT CLEAN.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAINED.

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

Inspector’s note: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.LOWER WALL AT RIGHT SIDE OF WALK IN COOLER IN POR REPAIR. MUST REPAIR.

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

Inspector’s note: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL COOKED/PREP FOODS- RICE,MEATS ETC IN PREP COOLERS,WALK IN COOLER,(FIFO)

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

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST PROVIDE ONE MISSING STOPPER FOR 3-COMP SINK IN PREP AREA.

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

Inspector’s note: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPLACE ALL STAIN CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA.

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

Inspector’s note: All cooked & prepared foods stored in coolers and freezers must be properly labelled and dated.

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

Inspector’s note: All uncovered foods must either be stored in food storage containers or food storage bags, no boxes or plastic grocery bags.

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

Inspector’s note: Paint black shelves in front food prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the following: hood & filters above cooking equipment, sides of all cooking equipment, grills, tables cooking equipment sits on, can opener and all other unclean surfaces.

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

Inspector’s note: Detail clean floors along wall bases, in corners, undeneath & behind all heavy equipment. Keep basement floor by stairs dry. Clean floor in front section of basement where wasteline pipe is located.

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

Inspector’s note: Replace stained ceiling tiles throughout. Repair right bottom section of outer front making ittight-fitting to prevent rodent entry. Clean walls around cooking equipment where needed.

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

Inspector’s note: Found wasteline pipe in front section of basement(underneath dining room area)which is from real estate business next door leaking at joint onto floor. No food stored in basement, instructed to have this pipe sealed/repaired and to clean & sanitize affected area. Referral made to dept. Of buildings. Faucet at 3 comp. Sink leaking constanly-instructed to repair or replace it. Attach additional pipline to ice bin behind front service counter so that water goes directly into floor drain