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EL PATRONCITO TAQUERIA INC

5157 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL PATRONCITO TAQUERIA INC has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 16, 2018. The most recent inspection, on September 19, 2022, found no infractions.

1 of 7 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: Protecting food from contamination, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 21, 2021. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 20, 2020. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 21, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 on April 20, 2020. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 20, 2020. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • 8-304.11(A) THE INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 10/21/21 WAS NOT POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B).
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MENU ITEMS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED WITH AN ASTERISK OR OTHER MEANS, AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE STORAGE AREA BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZERS AND IN THE STORAGE ROOM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A WALK-IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED 10 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM THE PREMISES. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE PREP COOLERS, DEEP FRYER, GRILL AND PREP TABLE BELOW THE FLAT TOP GRILL, AND THE HOT HOLDING UNIT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INADEQUATE LIGHTING OBSERVED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING IN THIS AREA.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2369431 ON 4/20/20 NOT CORRECTED: 57 - OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.
  4. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS NOT PROVIDED ON EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS.SIGNS SHALL BE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDSHAKING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED READY TO EAT, TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN, SALSA, PORK)NOT PROPERLY DATED , STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. UNDERCOOKED FOOD ON MENU NOT MARKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) . PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED) -7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPAIR NON WORKING LIGHTS IN FOOD PREP AREA AND PROVIDE LIGHTS OVER ICE MACHINE AREA
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE 2 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSTRUCTED TO MAKE REAR EXIT DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND INVERT POTS AND PANS ON KITCHEN STORAGE SHELF TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASH ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PESTS ALONG STAIR CASE IN TO THE BASEMENT AREA. MUST UPGRADE HOUSING KEEPING.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2229908 DATED:10/18/2018 58 PA-100-0367- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE. 01/16/2019 INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT NOTED VIOLATION AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N)-NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11- NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12- BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13-ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD MUST TAKE A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING TO GET A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. PA 100-0367.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PA-100-0367- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.
  7. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N)-NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11- NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 5-202.12-NO HAND SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. MUST INSTALL WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AND PROVIDE PAPER TOWEL AND HAND SOAP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)NO CITATION ISSUED,
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12- BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13-ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD MUST TAKE A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING TO GET A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. PA 100-0367.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PA-100-0367- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.

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