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LETTY'S TACOS

2603 W 71ST ST, CHICAGO, IL 60629 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LETTY'S TACOS has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 17, 2013. The most recent inspection, on July 9, 2014, recorded 5 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: Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 9, 2014. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 July 9, 2014. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • 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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 9, 2014. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

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. Short Form Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND A FULL ONE GALLON BOTTLE OF KRAFT MAYO SETTING OUTSIDE IN THE FOOD CART AT 72.5F. LABEL STATES MUST REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING. MANAGER DISCARDED IT. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • VIOLATION FOR FOOD PREPARATION OUTSIDE. INSTRUCTED NO FOOD CAN BE PREP OUTSIDE. NEED TO REMOVE THE FOOD CART FROM OUTSIDE. FOOD NOT PROTECTED. VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER RUBBER GASKET TORN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED MISSING CEILING AND NEW WALL NOT SEALED, INSTRUCTED TO FINISH CEILING, AND PAINT WALL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 60.9*F COOLER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMP 40*F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION. COOLER TAGGED NEED TO REPAIR,DO NOT USE, NO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS TO BE KEPT IN THIS COOLER UNTIL CDPH CAN REINSPECT.
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZADROUS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. SOUR CREAM 61.8*F, SHRIMP 58.8*F, RE-FRIED BEANS 60.3*F, EGGS 59.9*F CHICKEN PRE-COOKED 57.9*F, 10LBS OF FOOD DISPOSED OF AT THIS TIME. VALUE $20.00. CRITICAL VIOLATION. REMINDED MANAGER ALL COLD FOOD SHOULD BE 40*F OR BELOW.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER RUBBER GASKET TORN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED MISSING CEILING AND NEW WALL NOT SEALED, INSTRUCTED TO FINISH CEILING, AND PAINT WALL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  3. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SHELF LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES. REMOVE SAME AND PAINT RAW WOOD SURFACES WITH NON-TOXIC PAINT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • RE ATTACH VENTILATION COVER IN TOILET ROOM.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER/UNUSED EQUIPMENT (FREEZER) ON SITE. INSTD TO REMOVE SAME.
  4. License

    0 infractions

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