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EL GALLO BRAVO

3742 W MONTROSE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL GALLO BRAVO has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 19, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 6, 2016, found no infractions.

3 of 11 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 source, labelling and allergens, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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 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 30, 2015. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 March 2, 2016. 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 May 20, 2011. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 May 20, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 May 20, 2011. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY AT THIS TIME. DURING INSPECTION IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA FOUND IN ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE WALLS AND FLOOR APPROXIMATELY 40 RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS. ALSO RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL PROVIDE SERVICE PRIOR TO 3/9/2016. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOOR AT ALL CORNERS IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO REMOVE DUST, AND OTHER DEBRI.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST SEAL OPENING AT WALL NEXT TO THE WOODEN COLUMN ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST DECLUTTER AND REORGANIZE THE KITCHEN AREA AND THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WHITE PLASTIC CONTAINERS ON THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN AREA AND IN THE BASEMENT UNNECESSARY ITEMS. MUST REMOVE TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING AREAS.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST PROVIDE A LABEL AND DATE FOR PREPARED/COOKED FOODS INSIDE THE COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS,CUTTING BOARDS NEAR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST SEAL RAW WOODEN DRY STORAGE SHELVINGS IN BASEMENT AND RUST EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GREASE TRAP USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH AND MAINTAIN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT MET. (NO PROOF, NO RECORDS,NO APPROPIATE DOCUMENTATION). INSTD TO OPERATOR TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ORGANIZED SYSTEM OF DOCUMENTS AS REQUIRED.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE KITCHEN AREA,
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT, FIRST FLOOR AND BASEMENT AREAS,
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILE REAR AREA,
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AREA, CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN AREA, MUST REMOVE STOCK 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR AND 6 INCHES AWAY FROM WALL,
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AREA,
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AREA, CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN AREA, MUST REMOVE STOCK 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR AND 6 INCHES AWAY FROM WALL,
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION,WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS TACOS, BURRITOS,TOSTADAS,TORTAS,BAKED BEANS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING POTENTIALLY FOODS. ONE CERTIFICATE OF SANITATION POSTED ON THE WALL,BUT THE SAID PERSON WAS NOT ON SITE. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS. 7-38-012.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT. EMPTY BOXES, CHAIRS,TABLES, DOOR OF THE COOLER, SHELVE FOR THE COOLER,ETC. INSTRUCTED TO DISPOSE ANY ITEMS,ARTICLES NOT BEING USED TO PREVENT RODENT/INSECTS HARBORAGE. ELEVATE ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR TO HAVE AN EASY ACCESS IN CLEANING THE FLOOR.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving not clean need detailed cleaning(Crevices).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment not clean need cleaning, floors in bsmt. storage areas need cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Walls that had peeling paint by 3 compartment sink shall be repaired sealed.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exhaust vents(ventilation)in coolers, kitchen area not clean need detailed cleaning.
  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Unused cooler in basement not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
  10. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • No Certified Food Manager on premises or Certificate posted when potentially hazardous foods are being served and prepared-beans at 144.1 F. Instructed that a Certified Food Manager must be on premises during all hours of operation. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • Dish washing facilities not maintained or operated. While draining water in middle of three compartment sink, water coming up right side compartment of sink and also the utility sink. Instructed that water is to properly drain in grease trap and not drain back into sink. Serious citation issued 7-38-030.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Foods in cooler not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in origianl containers.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Storage shelves under counter, sinks, utenils and prep table not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • Thermometer not provided inside cooler. Instructed to have thermometer conspicuous inside coolers.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Unnecessary articles stored in basement and prep area. Instructed to remove unused cooking equipment and detail clean and elevate supplies in basement 6 inches off floor and away from wall.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • Food handlers in prep area not wearing hair restraints. Instructed that all employees must have proper hair restraints.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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