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EL COSTENO

235 W 87TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Mobile Food Preparer

Inspection summary

EL COSTENO has been inspected once by Chicago Department of Public Health, on October 1, 2019. The most recent inspection, on October 1, 2019, recorded 10 infractions.

No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

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 3 times on October 1, 2019. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 once on October 1, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 October 1, 2019. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 4 times on October 1, 2019. For example: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

  • 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 October 1, 2019. For example: HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

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.

1 inspection

  1. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • FOUND NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PERSON IN CHARGE TO HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLAION 7-38-012 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER OR CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS (I.E. BEEF, PORK, DAIRY, ETC.) INSTRUCTED TO HAVE BOTH ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY WHERE ALL FOOD/CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN REPORTING ANY ILLNESSES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE A CLEAN UP KIT FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND TCS FOODS(CHEESE-60.3F, SOUR CREAM-61.1F, MILK-60.8F AND BEEF STEAK-62.4F)STORED INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLER AND FREEZER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO EXPOSE OF ALL FOOD 25LBS. VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $100. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • FOUND THE REACH IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINING THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR LOWER (AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 62.6F). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE UNIT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING AT ALL TIMES MAINTAINING THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE AT ALL TIMES. PRIOIRITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURE TAKING OF TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A STEM THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LOG BOOK. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • FOUND NO (HOT/COLD) WATER AVAILABLE PER CITY CODE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WATER AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITHOUT PROOF THAT THEY MET THE FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENTS WERE MET.

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