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LA POTOSINA GROCERY

2300 W 23RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

LA POTOSINA GROCERY has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 6, 2010. The most recent inspection, on November 19, 2013, found no infractions.

2 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: Pests, Chemicals and toxic substances and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 6, 2010. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on April 6, 2010. For example: TOXIC ITEMS PROPERLY STORED, LABELED AND USED

  • 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 April 6, 2010. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 8 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 6, 2010. 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 on April 6, 2010. 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. PAINT /SEAL ALL RAW WOOD WITH A NON-TOXIC PAINT/SEALANT. REMOVE ALUMINUM INSIDE REFRIGERATION.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • DEFROST ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER. PROVIDE SHELVES/RACKS FOR STOCK ITEMS-REMOVE MILK CRATES. REPAIR SCREEN AT SIDE DOOR IN BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND WALL BASE, CEILING, AND WALL SECTIONS BEHIND PIPING IN BASEMENT AND REAR STORAGE AREA.
    • 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. REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ALL ARTICLES NOT IN GOOD REPAIR.
  4. License

    10 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. PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST COMTROL LOG BOOK TO INCLUDE i.e. map of premises with all bait stations indicated on the map, copy of MSDS (pesticides) receipts, copy of current state license for the company and the techs. SIDE EXIT DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING, MAKE TIGHT FITTING. EVIDENCE OF RAT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT, REMOVE THE SAME AND SANTIZE AREA.
    • 25. TOXIC ITEMS PROPERLY STORED, LABELED AND USED
      • Only such poisonous and toxic materials as are required to maintain sanitary conditions may be used in food establishments and they shall not be used in any hazardous manner.ST FLOOR IN CORNERS/NEXT TO COOLER. REMOVE SAME.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. PAINT /SEAL ALL RAW WOOD WITH A NON-TOXIC PAINT/SEALANT. REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM ALL SHELVES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. REPAIR / REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGH-OUT STORE. SEAL HOLES ON BASEMENT FLOOR PREVENTING RODENT ENTRANCE/HORBAGE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. DETAIL CLEAN CEILING FANS AND ALL CEILING/WALL ATTACHMENTS i.e.PIPES.
    • 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. REPLACE / REPAIR ALL BROKEN CEILING LIGHTS.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • None of the operations connected with food establishments shall be conducted in any room used as living or sleeping quarters. REPLACE TOILET SEAT IN TOILET.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. WATER AT THE 3 COMP SINK HAS LOW WATER PRESSURE, MUST CORRECT, INCREASE WATER PRESSURE.
    • 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. PROVIDE THERMOTERS IN COOLERS WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS.
    • 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. REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPTMENT AND ALL ARTICLES NOT IN GOOD REPAIR

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