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EL POLLO FIESTERO

3047 N CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL POLLO FIESTERO has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 2, 2011. The most recent inspection, on September 8, 2015, found no infractions.

3 of 6 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 Pests.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 April 2, 2014. For example: SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

  • 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 April 2, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 9 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2014. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2014. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • 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 April 2, 2014. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF PREP COOLER AND PREP TABLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ADDITIONAL CLEANING OF FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREA INCLUDING BASEMENT. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • NOTED CORNER CEILING IN REAR STORAGE AREA IN POOR REPAIR WITH BROKEN AND HEAVY WATER DAMAGED CEILING. INSTRUCTED TO FIX.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
  4. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • FOUND NO SANITIZER AVAILABLE AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. (EMPLOYEE BOUGHT APPROVED SANITIZER (BLEACH) AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO SANITIZE MULTI USE UTENSILS (GLASSES, CUPS, BOWLS, FORKS AND SPOONS ETC.) PROPERLY). INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE THE PROPER SET-UP ON HOW TO WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-030
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND NO LICENSED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN LOG FROM LICENSED PEST CONTROL AND MUST BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-020
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN, COOKED RICE, TACO, BURRITO ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED. SERIOUS VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-012
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 1353552 ISSUED ON 07-09-2013. SERIOUS VIOLATION ISSUED 7-42-090 #32 - MICROWAVE IN PREP REAR AND REAR HAS BUILD OF DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN. REACH IN FREEZER AND REACH IN COOLER , REAR PREP REAR, HAVE BUILD OF GRIME ON INNER DOOR RUBBER SEALS . MUST DETAIL CLEAN. #34 - DEBRIS AND TRASH UNDER PREP TABLE AND HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN CORNERS AND UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. #38 - VENTILATION COVER IN REACH IN COOLER, HALLWAY LEADING TO TOILET ROOM AND PREP AREA AREA HAVE BUILD UP OF DUST. MUST DETAIL CLEAN. NEED TO PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE RUBBER GASKET AROUND REACH-IN COOLER DOORS IN REAR PREP AREA.--------MUST SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOOD SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD AND FILTERS WITH HEAVY GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DEAD LIGHT BULB INSIDE WOMEN'S WASHROOM.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKY DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING. MUST REORGANIZE.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MICROWAVE IN PREP AREAR AND REAR HAS BUILD OF DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN. REACH IN FREEZER AND REACH IN COOLER , REAR PREP AREAR, HAVE BUILD OF GRIME ON INNER DOOR RUBBER SEALS . MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DEBRIS AND TRASH UNDER PREP TABLE AND HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN CORNERS AND UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSE SINK IN PREP AREA HAVE LEAKING P-PIPE. MUST REPAIR. VENTILATION COVER IN REACH IN COOLER, HALLWAY LEADING TO TOILET ROOM AND PREP AREA AREA HAVE BUILD UP OF DUST. MUST DETAIL CLEAN. NEED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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