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El Molcajete

2863 E 95th ST FL, CHICAGO, IL 60617 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

El Molcajete has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 19, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 16, 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 source, labelling and allergens, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 August 26, 2010. 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 August 19, 2010. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 August 19, 2010. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 8 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2010. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 once on August 19, 2010. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST PROPERLY COVER, DATE AND LABEL ALL COOKED OR REPACKAGED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS IN REACH-IN COOLERS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENTS, COOLERS AND CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS IN REAR AROUND SHELVES, SINKS AND EQUIPMENTS. ALSO, CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS AND REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST FIX LEAK AT THE PIPE OF THE 3-COMP. SINK IN THE REAR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ANY AND ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (I.E. BABY STROLLER, LADDER, ETC.) FROM REAR AND ORGANIZE AREA
  3. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 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. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AND HAVE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. CITATION #64663-18 ISSUED.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. FOUND NO CURRENT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE (THE ONE ON THE PREMISES EXPIRED FEB. 28, 2010) OR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING/SERVING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (I.E. BEEF, BEANS, CHICKEN, PORK, ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CURRENT, ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE AND MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION #64663-18 ISSUED.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST PROPERLY COVER, DATE AND LABEL ALL COOKED OR REPACKAGED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS IN REACH-IN COOLERS.
    • 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 DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENTS, COOLERS AND CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 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. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENTS AND IN ALL CORNERS.
    • 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 DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS IN REAR AROUND SHELVES, SINKS AND EQUIPMENTS. ALSO, CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS AND REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST FIX LEAK AT THE PIPE OF THE 3-COMP. SINK IN THE REAR.
    • 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 ANY AND ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (I.E. BABY STROLLER, LADDER, ETC.) FROM REAR AND ORGANIZE AREA.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees must wear garments that are clean and of washable character and nature. All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. MUST PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS TO FOOD HANDLER(S).

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