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El Sabor Latino

3400 W FULLERTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

El Sabor Latino has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 25, 2013. The most recent inspection, on March 30, 2015, found no infractions.

1 of 5 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: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 September 5, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 November 25, 2013. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 November 25, 2013. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 13 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 12, 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 September 5, 2014. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK SEAMS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE AND MAINTAINED IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREA, MOP BUCKET AND BOXES IN FRONT OF SINK AND BOXES INSIDE OF THE SINK. ALSO NOTED WATER LEAKY FROM THE DRAIN PIPE UNDER THE SINK WHEN THE WATER IS RELEASED FROM THE SINK. CITATION 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
      • OBSERVERED 20 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON THE FLOORS UNDER AND ON STORAGE SHELVING,AND IN CORNERS IN THE PREP AREA. ALSO FOUND 3 LIVE ROACHES IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AND CALL PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED # 7-38-020.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK SEAMS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL EQUIPMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS, ESPECIALLY WHERE DROPPINGS AND CRAWLING INSECTS WHERE FOUND.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING THROUGH TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALL NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD AND GREASE SPLATTERS. ALSO NOTED HOLES AND OPENINGS INTO THE WALL AND CEILING. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT FURTHER PEST PROBLEMS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ORGANIZE STOCK IN THE PREP AREAS TO MONITOR BETTER FOR PEST AND ACCESSILBE FOR CLEANING.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Walk-in cooler door not maintained. Instructed to repair rusted lower corner and replace rubber gasket. Storage shelves inside cooler rusted. Instructed to repmove rust and apply non-toxic sealant to surface.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Exhaust hood and filters, exterior of cooking equipment, interior of cooler and storage shelves not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean sanitize daily.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor not maintained in rear prep area. Instructed to replace damaged and missing floor tile and seal all openings. Floor drain in basement not covered. Instructed to provide cover for drain.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exposed handsink leaking at drainline. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Unnecessary articles in basment. Instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.
  5. License

    7 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • Facilities not maintaining proper temperature. Walk-in cooler at 59.8 F and prep cooler at 49.0 F. Instructed that coolers must maintain 40 F or below.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • Three compartment sink not maintained. Instructed to detail clean drainline and grease trap to prevent inadequate disposal of drain water.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Walk-in cooler door not maintained. Instructed to repair rusted lower corner and replace rubber gasket. Storage shelves inside cooler rusted. Instructed to repmove rust and apply non-toxic sealant to surface.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Exhaust hood and filters, exterior of cooking equipment, interior of cooler and storage shelves not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean sanitize daily.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor not maintained in rear prep area. Instructed to replace damaged and missing floor tile and seal all openings. Floor drain in basement not covered. Instructed to provide cover for drain.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exposed handsink leaking at drainline. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Unnecessary articles in basment. Instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

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