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CABOS BAJA CAFE AND GRILL

5750 N CALIFORNIA AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CABOS BAJA CAFE AND GRILL has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 16, 2018. The most recent inspection, on December 3, 2020, found no infractions.

2 of 6 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 Food temperature control.

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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 5, 2019. 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2019. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 27, 2018. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 5, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 11 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 5, 2019. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE PRESENTED BUT NO CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS ON SITE (SLICED TOMATOES, BEEF, CHICKEN SAUSAGE) WITH NO DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELING ON ALL TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITH A 7 DAY DISCARD DATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES OR AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT SO IT MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPAIR DETACHED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
  3. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE PRESENTED BUT NO CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS ON SITE (SLICED TOMATOES, BEEF, CHICKEN SAUSAGE) WITH NO DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELING ON ALL TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITH A 7 DAY DISCARD DATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED THAT BEEF MEAT AND BEEF SAUSAGE IS STORED IN SAME FOOD CONTAINER.MUST STORED SEPARATELY IN DIFFERENT CONTAINERS .
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED THAT EMPLOYEE WORE UNPROVED JEWELRY ON HANDS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD.MUST REMOVE AND FREE OF UNPROVED JEWELRY SO HANDS CAN BE PROPERLY WASHED.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED THAT UTENSILS IN USE ARE STORED IN COLD WATER,MUST STORED UTENSILS UNDER RUNNING COLD WATER, UNDER HOT WATER (135 f AND ABOVE)AND IN CLEAN PLACE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES OR AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT SO IT MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN ACCUMULATED DUST ON WATER PIPES ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPAIR DETACHED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SEE VIOLATION #60
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUSLY CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED FROM 9/21 18 REPORT # 2222740. NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED .UPGRADED TO PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION . 7-38.090.CITATION ISSUED
  4. License Re-Inspection

    10 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N) NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • : 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSE ALL FOODS ON THE MENU PERTAINING TO THE ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B) MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR THE COOKS LINE TWO DOOR COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-307.11 MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION ON TO STORED FOOD RACK.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----SPRAY FOAM USED TO SEAL AROUND PIPING ON THE WALL AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 BACK FLOW PREVENTER NOT LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 LEAK UNDER THE FAR LEFT BASIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 HOLES AND OPEN CREVICES ON THE WALL UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • : NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.
  5. License

    11 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N) NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSE ALL FOODS ON THE MENU PERTAINING TO THE ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • 4-301.11 TALL REACH-IN COOLER FOUND AT 45.5F. NO FOODS ON SITE AT THIS TIME. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F, CDPH CONTACTED FOR TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B) MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR THE COOKS LINE TWO DOOR COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-307.11 MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION ON TO STORED FOOD RACK.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----SPRAY FOAM USED TO SEAL AROUND PIPING ON THE WALL AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 LEAK UNDER THE FAR LEFT BASIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 BACK FLOW PREVENTOR NOT LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 HOLES AND OPEN CREVICES ON THE WALL UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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