EL TACOTOTE RESTAURANT
1536 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
EL TACOTOTE RESTAURANT has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 6, 2013. The most recent inspection, on February 18, 2014, 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: 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.
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 January 14, 2014. For example:
HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 14, 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 14, 2014. For example:
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
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 January 14, 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.
3 inspections
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Complaint
4 infractions
- 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
- NO SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE AT EITHER EXPOSED HANDSINKS, USING COMMON HAND TOWEL. INSTD MGR TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITARY HAND DRYING (EX. PAPER TOWELS OR AIR DRYER). THE USE OF A COMMON TOWEL IS PROHIBITED. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
- 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
- NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (STEAK, BEANS, ETC) INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS.
- 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
- ALUMINUM FOIL ON STORAGE SHELVES. INSTD TO REMOVE SAME SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.
- 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
- REPLACE MISSING LIGHTSHIELD AT INTERIOR OF COOKING HOOD.
- 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
- License
4 infractions
- 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
- MUST INSTALL A KNIFE RACK ON WALL FOR STORAGE OF ALL KNIVES.
- 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
- CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS BY REMOVING FOOD PARTICLES AND SPILLAGE. CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES AND SURFACES UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT. REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE RUBBER GASKETS AT THREE DOOR COOLER IN REAR STORAGE ROOM.
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- CLEAN FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. PROVIDE FLOOR DRAIN COVERS FOR FLOOR DRAINS IN BASEMENT WHERE NEEDED. CLEAN FLOORS IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.
- 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
- ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN STORAGE AREA IN REAR.
- 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
Nearby inspected facilities
- TAQUERIA EL TACOTOTE INC.
1536 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
3 inspections
- LA CECINA 4
1536 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
19 inspections
- JOHNNY O'S
1536 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
4 inspections
- TACOS DE CANASTA EL CONDE
1536 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
4 inspections
- LA PIROGUE
1530 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
1 inspection
- CHILITOS
1530 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
2 inspections
- ICONIK NUTRITION
1530 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
2 inspections
- BOMBON CAKE GALLERY
1530 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
4 inspections