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BAJA EXPRESS INN TAQUERIA

11128 S HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60628 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BAJA EXPRESS INN TAQUERIA has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 6, 2019. The most recent inspection, on March 23, 2022, found no infractions.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Protecting food from contamination and Pests.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 28, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 15, 2021. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 3, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 3, 2022. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 13 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on February 3, 2022. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 40 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN FURNACE, 20 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS AND ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED ON PREP TABLES AND SHELVING UNITS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED UPPER PANEL OF ICE MACHINE HAS SLIGHT BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED 7 STAIN/ SOLIED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REOLACE. ALSO OBSERVED OPENINGS( HOLES) IN WALL IN REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLES AND GAPS ALING WALLS. INSTRUCTED TO SEL/ REPAIR ALL AREAS TO PREVENT HIDING AREAS FOR INSECTS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS,DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS ESP UNDER ALL TABLES.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARREAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-005.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS,DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS ESP. AROUND THE ONE EYE STOVE.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. MUST PROVIDE CLEAN UP KIT WHICH INCLUDES NECESSARY ITEMA OUTLINED IN POLICY,DISPOSABLE MOPS GLOVES,FACE MASK,AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER TO KILL THE NOROVIRIS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO 1- COMPARTMENT PREP SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING
  7. License Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO EMPLOYEE PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED FOODS( EGGS,HAMBURGERS) SERVED. INSTRUCTED THAT ANY RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS SERVED MUST HAVE A REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO 1- COMPARTMENT PREP SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING
  8. License

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO EMPLOYEE PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED FOODS( EGGS,HAMBURGERS) SERVED. INSTRUCTED THAT ANY RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS SERVED MUST HAVE A REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL. OBSERVED 52 RODENT MICE DROPPING ON FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO 1- COMPARTMENT PREP SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING

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