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LUCHA CAFE

2637 N CENTRAL AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60639 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LUCHA CAFE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 18, 2020. The most recent inspection, on November 9, 2021, 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 12, 2021. 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 November 18, 2020. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 November 18, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 November 18, 2020. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 12, 2021. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE REMOVAL SERVICE. (MUST PROVIDE OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.
  4. License

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO SOAP PROVIDED AT HAND SINK OR WASH BOWL SINK IN RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE SOAP AT EACH HAND SINK/WASH BOWL SINK AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HAND SINK OR WASH BOWL SINK IN RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE SANITARY MEANS TO DRY HANDS AT EACH HAND SINK/WASH BOWL SINK AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED REGRIGERATION UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURES. FOUND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 64.5F IN DISPLAY COOLER IN FRONT; AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 65.7F INSIDE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. ALL REFRIGERATION MUST MAINTAIN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER TO ACCURATELY MEASURE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FACILITY DOES NOT HAVE PEST CONTROL SERVICE PROVIDER. MUST PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK, WITH ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION (CONTRACT, SERVICE INVOICE, IDPH BUSINESS LICENSE, ETC.) FROM A LICENSED, COMMERCIAL PEST CONTROL PROVIDER. PRIROTIY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C).
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO METHOD TO SANITIZE UTENSILS ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE A CHEMICAL SANITIZER, AND CORRESPONDING CHEMICAL TEST KIT (PAPER STRIPS) TO ACCURATELY MEASURE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER USED IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED WASTE WATER POURING OUT OF PIPES UNDER RIGHT BASIN OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ON TO FLOOR OF PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY CONVEY WASTE WATER INTO GREASE TRAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE REMOVAL SERVICE. (MUST PROVIDE OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOLE IN THE WALL OF STORAGE ROOM IN REAR. MUST REPAIR ALL OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.

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