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CHICKEN AND TACOS PLACE

5200 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHICKEN AND TACOS PLACE has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 25, 2011. The most recent inspection, on August 19, 2013, found no infractions.

2 of 5 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: Food temperature control, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 March 14, 2013. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 once on July 25, 2011. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 once on July 25, 2011. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 9 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 14, 2013. 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 14, 2013. 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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE. NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF COOKED BEANS AT 50.0F, STUFFED PEPPER AT 47.8F, SOUR CREAM AT 48.9F, STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 42.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 140F OR ABOVE. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL VALUE $150.00, TOTAL WEIGHT 25 LBS. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A)
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE RAISED SHELVES FOR STORAGE 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF REACH-IN COOLER, PREP COOLER AND ICE MACHINE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING EXPOSED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORED IN A CLEAN SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of ice machine not clean need cleaning, rear cooler shelving need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors in rear kitchen under 3 compartment sink, and by hot water heater, furnace room not clean need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Walls that had peeling paint in rear storage area by bathroom, mop sink, shall be repaired/sealed.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exhaust canopy not clean had excess grease build up, needs detailed cleaning.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. License

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • Found/obsrved rear exit door not rodent proofed, door had 1/4 inch gap on bottom, and side of door, shall be repair in order to pass license inspection, no citation issued due to license inspection on 7/25/2011.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • Found,observed rear 1 compartment sink in state of disrepair, missing faucet, must provide faucet to 1 compartment sink in rear prep area, in order to pass license inspection. No citation issued due to license inspection on 7/25/2011.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Caulking behind 3 compartment sink shall be replaced., exposed raw wood, shall be sealed.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving need cleanin, storage shelving, prep tables need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, storage shelving, rear storage areas, and hot water heater areas need cleaning.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Missing light shield in cooler shall be provided.

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