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LA ESCONDIDA MINI MART & $ PLUS

2433 S CENTRAL PARK AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

LA ESCONDIDA MINI MART & $ PLUS has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 3, 2010. The most recent inspection, on January 22, 2015, recorded 1 infraction.

2 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: 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 22, 2011. 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 2 times on December 3, 2010. 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 December 3, 2010. 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 22, 2015. For example: PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

  • 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 July 3, 2013. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED SOME ITEMS IN CORNER OF STORE (TV STROLLER TABLES CHAIRS); INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO AVOID CLUTTER. SOME ITEMS STORED IN THE THREE COMP SINK; REMOVE TO AVOID SINK BEING CLUTTERED.
  2. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • THE CLEAN DISHES ARE LEFT INSIDE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, STORE THE CLEAN DISHES ON A SANITARY RACK OR SPACE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE BASEMENT FLOORS ARE WET, CLEAN AND DRY THE FLOOR.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MORE THAN 40 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK,MOP SINK,IN TOILET ROOM ALONG WALL BASES,BEHIND MILK REACH IN COOLER,ALSO FRONT DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,CLEAN & SANITIZE AREAS,RODENT PROOF DOOR.RECOMMENED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 12/22/11.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)CITATION ISSUED.
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • When toilet and lavatory facilities are provided for the patrons of food establishments, such facilities shall be adequate in number, convenient, accessible, properly designed, and installed according to the municipal code.OBSERVED INADEQUATE PLUMBING.OBSERVED TOILET NOT ABLE TO FLUSH WATER FILLING UP IN TOILET BOWL WHEN HANDLE IS PUSHED.MUST REPAIR & MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-38-030)CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST DEFROST ICE CREAM FREEZER.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN TOILET ROOM.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST REMOVE ARTICLES FROM INSIDE OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK & REAR YARD (TV,STOVE,ETC.)
  5. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. MUST HAVE COOLERS AT 40F OR BELOW.
    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • Adequate and convenient toilet facilities shall be provided. They should be properly designed, maintained, and accessible to employees at all times. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL EXPOSED SINK WITH HOT/COLD WATER, PAPER TOWELS AND SOAP.
    • 20. INSIDE CONTAINERS OR RECEPTACLES: ADEQUATE NUMBER, PROPERLY COVERED AND INSECT/RODENT PROOF
      • All garbage and rubbish containing food wastes shall, prior to disposal, be stored in metal containers with tight fitting lids and shall be kept covered except when opened for the disposal or removal of garbage. MUST PROVIDE INSIDE GARBAGE CONTAINERS.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health. MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP UNDER 3PART SINK.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN DISPLAY SHELVES AND CABINET.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS AT PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST PROVIDE DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 PART SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR COOLERS.

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