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MEZCAL BIRRIA OCOTLAN

3011 W CERMAK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MEZCAL BIRRIA OCOTLAN has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 23, 2016. The most recent inspection, on July 9, 2018, found no infractions.

1 of 5 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 source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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.

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2017. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 August 9, 2017. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 29, 2016. 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2017. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 9, 2017. For example: ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • FOUND FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED IN GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED IN FOOD GRADE BAGS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING IN DRY STORAGE AREA TO REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20-22 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN REAR PREP AREA BEHIND A REACH IN FREEZER AND STORAGE SHELF. APPROXIMATELY 15-16 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN FURNACE ROOM AND A DEAD MOUSE ON A GLUEBOARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • NO HOT WATER IN LADIES WASHROOM. WATER IS A VERY SMALL TRICKLE OF WATER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT TO HAVE HOT WATER AT CITY PRESSURE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • FOUND FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED IN GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED IN FOOD GRADE BAGS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING IN DRY STORAGE AREA TO REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PAINT RUSTY EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND SHELVES UNDERNEATH PREP TABLES WHERE SURFACES ARE RUSTED. REMOVE LOOSE CONTACT PAPER FROM SHELVES IN LADIES WASHROOM.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR HOSE CONNECTION TO MOP SINK.
  5. License

    8 infractions

    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER ON PREMISES, WAITING FOR GAS COMPANY TO COME.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PAINT RUSTY EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND SHELVES UNDERNEATH PREP TABLES WHERE SURFACES ARE RUSTED. REMOVE LOOSE CONTACT PAPER FROM SHELVES IN LADIES WASHROOM AND UNDERNEATH CASH REGISTER COUNTER.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN ALL EQUIPMENT AND SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT ONCE HOT WATER HAS BEEN RESTORED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN ALL DEBRIS AND DIRT FROM THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT INCLUDING BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES. CLEAN ALL DEAD INSECTS AND DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS WHERE PRESENT. SEAL CORNER OF WALL NEAR THE MOP SINK.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE VERY DIM LIGHT IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. THIS AREA MUST BE LIGHTED SO THAT A MINIMUN OF 50-FOOT CANDLES OF LIGHT IS AVAILABLE ON ALL WORK SURFACES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR HOSE CONNECTION TO MOP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ALL ARTICLES STORED IN BASEMENT MUST BE STORED ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

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