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LA CASA DEL BUFFET

3857 W 26TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA CASA DEL BUFFET has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 8, 2018. The most recent inspection, on October 14, 2020, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 6, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 March 8, 2018. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 once on June 6, 2019. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 June 6, 2019. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 March 8, 2018. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL BASED FOOD ITEMS ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR ALL RAW/UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL BASED MENU ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE TOPS OF THE STOVE, DEEP FRYER, FLATTOP AND GRILL WITH FOOD SPLATTER AND ENCASED WITH GREASE DEPOSITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE FRONT BAR AREA AND IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WEST WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE CORNERS OF THE KITCHEN FLOOR WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILT UP GREASE, DIRT, AND DUST ON THE VENTS ABOVE THE FLATTOP AND GRILL IN THE BACK KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM THE CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS FROM FRYER CABINET,WHEEL BASES & PIPES OF EQUIPMENT,GRILL TABLE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED OFFICE DOOR ,STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AND PREP AREAS,UPPER TRIM AT FRONT DOOR IN POOR REPAIR.MUST CLEAN FILTERS AT HOOD.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE FAUCET AT REAR 3- COMP SINK.
  4. License

    10 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED AIR TEMPERATURE OF SMALL PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA AT 44.5F,OBSERVED NO FREEZER ON PREMISES FOR STORAGE OF FROZEN FOODS.MUST REPAIR , REPLACE AND PROVIDE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 40.0F OR BELOW AND FROZEN 0.0F.
    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER CONNECTED TO CITY PLUMBING AND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE AND MAINTAIN IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 20 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER REAR 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER,BEHIND SMALL PREP TABLE AND ON BRICKS UNDER GREASE TRAP OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 3/8/18.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS FROM FRYER CABINET,WHEEL BASES & PIPES OF EQUIPMENT,GRILL TABLE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST REPAIR BROKEN CONCRETE NEAR FRONT WINDOW AND IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM UNDER HAND SINK.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED OFFICE DOOR ,STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AND PREP AREAS,UPPER TRIM AT FRONT DOOR IN POOR REPAIR.MUST CLEAN FILTERS AT HOOD.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR ALL 3- COMP SINKS..MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE FAUCET AT REAR 3- COMP SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR HOT HOLDING UNIT.

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