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CAFE MESTIZO

1738 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE MESTIZO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 29, 2011. The most recent inspection, on February 28, 2013, found no infractions.

3 of 4 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: Pests and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 on April 11, 2011. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 once on April 11, 2011. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 5 times on April 11, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 2 times on April 11, 2011. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. License

    10 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. THE REACH IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMP WAS 43.9F. MUST BE 40F AND BELOW. MUST REPAIR SAME.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 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 EAST WALL AND 10- 15 RAT DROPPINGS UNDER THE BASEMENT STAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UP THE AREAS AND CALL YOUR LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO COME HERE TO SERVICE THE ESTABLISHMENT. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020. FRONT DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING OR RODENT PROOFED. HAS A 3 INCH OPENING EAST SIDE TOP OF THE DOOR AND 1 INCH OPENING TOP OF DOOR ALSO. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOFED.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. MUST CLEAN AROUND THE DUMPSTED OUTSIDE SO NO SOURES OF FOOD FOR THE RODENTS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REMOVE THE RUST FROM THE GREASE TRAP AND PAINT IT.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN TABLES, SEATS, LEDGES, ECT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. REPLACE MISSING AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST SEAL ALL THE HOLES IN THE WALLS AND CEILING AND AROUND THE WINDOWS CLEAN AND PAINT THROUGHOUT PREMISES. CLEAN ALL LEDGES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. PROVIDE MORE LIGHT IN FRONT BAR AREA AND PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN BACK AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. MUST ENCLOSE THE WASTE WATER PIPE ABOVE THE PREP AREA/BAR AREA. PROVIDE A BACK FLOW DEVICE TO THE FAUCIT AT THE UTILITY/ MOP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • 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. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT BOTH AREAS AND THE 1ST FLOOR MIDDLE ROOM AND CLEAN AND ORGNIZE SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST REMOVE GAS BURNER FROM THE KITCHEN AND REMOVE THE GRILL FROM OUT SIDE BACK AREA.
  4. License

    0 infractions

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