El Milagro Taqueria

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

Inspector’s note: Observed mouse activity in the following areas: in the rear storage area, along the outside wall, approx. 20-22 droppings, in the corner by the storage table, 10-12 droppings, in the area by the stove, 10-12 droppings noted, and in the front store area, 10-15 droppings noted. Instructed manager to contact pest control for service. Clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

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

Inspector’s note: All non-food contact surfaces in nonfood areas in need of cleaning to remove all debris. Instructed to clean and sanitize all storage shelves.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Interior or reach in coolers and hot holding cabinets in need of cleaning to remove all food spills. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: All unnecessary articles in all storage areas must be removed and or organized to eliminate all rodent harborage. Instructed to correct and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors throughout front prep, rear prep, side storage area, front storage area, and rear area in need of detail cleaning and sanitizing. Instructed to detail clean all areas.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Hood vents and filters in need of detail cleaning to remove grease and debris. Instructed to detail clean and maintain

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

Inspector’s note: 3-302.12 observed a couple of small plastic containers with dry products. (salt, pepper) without proper common food name markings. Must label bulk and working food containers with contents common name. Must label food storage containers when food is not in original package.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed unnecessary items located on the right of office. Instructed to remove unecessary items and organize area to prevent pest harborage.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 60 mouse droppings in the following areas: behind file cabinets in office/dry storage area, to the right of the walk in cooler located in rear. Also noted 1 roach in employee toilet room. Instructed to remove, clean, sanitize, and maintain said areas. Recommended contacting pest control. Priority foundation, 7-38-020(a), citation issued

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

Inspector’s note: Observed ice machine lid broken. Must repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed unnecessary items located on the right of office. Instructed to remove unecessary items and organize area to prevent pest harborage.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed food debris under hot holding units and behind coolers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: 3-305.11 observed boxes of tortillas being stored under a sewer line in the rear. Instructed to remove and do not store anything under sewer lines.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean the interior of the ice machine in the rear prep.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the faucet base at the 3 comp sink with a leak. Must repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: 3-305.11 observed dry storage being stored under a sewer line in the rear dry storage area. Instructed to remove and do not store anything under sewer pipes.

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

Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the women's toilet rooms. Instructed to provide.

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

Inspector’s note: 6-501.111 observed evidence of live insect activity. Observed about 20 live small flies located on the walls and ceiling of the rear food prep area. Instructed to clean and sanitize affected areas and recommended contacting pest contro for a service. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-020(a).

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

Inspector’s note: 6-202.13 observed open bait traps in the facility. Instructed to only allow pest control to set traps for the facility and remove open bait traps.

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

Inspector’s note: 3-305.11 observed dry storage being stored under a sewer line in the rear dry storage area. Instructed to remove and do not store anything under sewer pipes.

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

Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the women's toilet rooms. Instructed to provide.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloth improperly stored on rear prep table, instructed to store in sanitizing solution between uses to prevent cross contamination instructed to maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the rear can opener cutting/piercing part not clean, instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the rear interior of the microwave not clean, instructed to clean.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed large piece of equipment being used to spin dry the can catcus. This equipment is clean in place, instructed to provide written procedure for alternative manual warewashing equipment.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the hot holding water well not clean food debris in the water, instructed to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the front dining room ceiling vents not clean, also the rear employees restroom ceiling fan vent dusty, instructed to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the wall behind the three door cooler in poor repair dry wall missing, instructed to repair make wall smooth and easily cleanable and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the ceiling in the rear prep area in poor repair, instructed to repair make smooth and easily cleanable.

* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers

Inspector’s note: Previous inspection report summary was not displayed for customers. Premises had an inspection report summary from 11/24/15 posted instead of their inspection report summary from 4/25/16. Management was given a copy of today's inspection report summary and was instructed to post it in view of all customers. Serious violation 7-42-010b.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed a tabletop deep fryer unit not stored underneath ventilation in the rear food prep area. Management instructed to store all cooking equipment under ventilation.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the interior panel of the ice machine with a slite brownish substance. Instructed to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Replace damaged gaskets on hot holding units and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean ventilation fans in washrooms(dust buildup).

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: No food handler certificates available during inspection. Instructed manager to provide certificate or documentation of enrollment by 7-16-15.

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

Inspector’s note: Ceiling vents thur-out has build-up of dust. Must detail clean.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: No probe of metal stem thermometer on premises. Must provide metal stem thermometer.

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

Inspector’s note: Boxes on floor in storage room. All items must be six inches off floor and walls.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean and sanitize front prep table.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean floor under front grill area.

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

Inspector’s note: Ladies room sink leaking when handles turned on need repair.

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

Inspector’s note: A missing tile was found to the right of the three compartment sink, repair the wall so it is smooth and sanitary.

No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

Inspector’s note: The rear outer door and inner garage doors have 1/4" gaps at the bottom, repair the doors so they are pest proof.

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

Inspector’s note: Squeeze bottles with cooking oil are not labeled, label all open foods.

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

Inspector’s note: The customer and counter ice dispensing chutes have some cloudy deposits, clean and sanitize the ice chutes. The can opener is dirty; clean, rinse and sanitize the can opener.

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

Inspector’s note: A missing tile was found to the right of the three compartment sink, repair the wall so it is smooth and sanitary.

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

Inspector’s note: The lighting above the west cold prep line is not shielded, shield all glass bulbs above food preparation areas.

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

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE PREP AREA AND STORE ROOMS UNDER AND BEHIND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAS DUST BUILDUP.

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. SEAL THE HOLES AND OPENINGS IN THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.

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

Inspector’s note: Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens. SOME CLUTTER IN THE STORE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGNIZE SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.

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

Inspector’s note: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. CLEAN THE VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES HAS DUST BUILDUP.

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

Inspector’s note: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER IN THE TWO STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CLUTTER AND CLEAN AND ORGNIZE.

No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

Inspector’s note: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. FOUND 20-25 RAT DROPPINGS IN THE BASEMENT NORTH EAST CORNER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN TO AREA AND CALL YOUR PEST CONTROL TO SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT. THE BACK DOOR IN THE BACK STORAGE AREA HAS A ONE FOURTH GAP AT THE BOTTON OF THE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE DOOR TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOFED. SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-020

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

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT AND THE STORAGE AREAS.

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

Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. CLEAN THE VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES HAS DUST BUILDUP.

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

Inspector’s note: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER IT THE TWO STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CLUTTER AND CLEAN AND ORGNIZE SAME.