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EL ALAMO

2053-57 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL ALAMO has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 29, 2011. The most recent inspection, on August 13, 2013, found no infractions.

1 of 3 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 and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 2 times on August 29, 2011. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 once on August 29, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 8, 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 once on August 29, 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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Tag Removal

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE REACHIN CHEST FREEZER AND GASKET ARE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME.
  3. Canvass

    7 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. FOUND COLD HOLDING UNIT TOP AND COLD HOLDING CABINET BOTTOM 70F. ALSO A ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 74F. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOOD AND GET UNITS REPAIRED. BOTH UNITS HAVE BEEN TADDED. DO NOT REMOVE THE TAGS. WHEN UNITS ARE REPAIRED CALL THE CDPH SO AN INSPECTOIN CAN BE MADE. CRITICAL CITATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. FOUND 10 EGGS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 68.5F,HAMBURGER 3LBS 64.8F, TOMATOES 65F, SALSA 65.4F AND IN THE ONE DOOR COOLER FIVE LBS ON BEEF 71.2, PORK ONE LBS 69.5,STEAK 1POUND 67.8. MANAGER DISPOSED OF THE FOOD AND DENATURED IT. CRITICAL CITATION 7-38-005(A)GIVEN.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • The licensee shall inform the public in writing of the Chicago Department of Public Health?s Consumer Advisory relating to consuming raw and undercooked animal products. LABEL THE LARGE CONTAINERS FLOUR, BEANS ECT.
    • 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. THE TOP OD THE REACHIN FREEZER AND GASKET IS IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CEAN AND DEFROST THE TWO REACHIN FREEZERS IN THE STORE AREA AND THE TWO REACHIN FREEZERS IN THE PREP AREA THEY ARE THICK WITH ICE BUILDUP. CLEAN THE MEAT CUTTING EQUIPMENT AND THE REACHIN COOLERS HAS FOOD DEBRIS ON THEM.
    • 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. CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE BACK STORE AREA ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS.
    • 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. THE FAUCIT AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA THE A STEADY STREAM ON WATER COMMIMG THE FAUCIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME.

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