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MEZQUITE EXPRESS # 2

5160 S PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MEZQUITE EXPRESS # 2 has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 15, 2017. The most recent inspection, on August 9, 2019, found no infractions.

1 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 16, 2019. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times on May 16, 2019. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 March 7, 2019. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 16, 2019. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 8 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 16, 2019. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    9 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N): Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK, OR IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A SANITARY MEANS TO DRY HANDS AT ALL WASH BOWL AND EXPOSED HAND SINKS. OPERATOR PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS TO ALL WASH BOWL AND EXPOSED HAND SINKS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11: Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED CHICKEN STORED IN LARGE PLASTIC (32 GALLON GARBAGE) CONTAINERS TOO LARGE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. INSTRUCTED MUST ELIMINATE PLASTIC CONTAINERS TOO LARGE TO FIT IN EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS; OR REPLACE EXISTING SINKS WITH BASINS LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE ALL UTENSILS; OR PROVIDE AN APPROVED METHOD (AND DEMONSTRATE) TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS (CONTAINERS).
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SMALL AMOUNT OF BROWN, MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON CEILING OF LOWER INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND DIRT BUILD UP IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NEAR SERVICE WINDOW IN REAR OF KITCHEN. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED LEAK AT PIPE UNDER RIGHT BASIC OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: Observed excessive grease, dirt and debris on floors under racks in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler), under bag in the box soda storage rack, and throughout kitchen along walls and under equipment. Must pull all equipment away from walls and must elevate all stock at least 6 inches above the floor.to properly clean. Must maintain same.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-303.11: Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N): Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.1: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide written clean up procedure and equipment for vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11: Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: Observed excessive grease, dirt and debris on floors under racks in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler), under bag in the box soda storage rack, and throughout kitchen along walls and under equipment. Must pull all equipment away from walls and must elevate all stock at least 6 inches above the floor.to properly clean. Must maintain same.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-303.11: Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.
  4. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • Observed no person in charge at time of inspection. Instructed must a designated manager/person in charge (and that person must have the Chicago food sanitation manager certification) at all times. Priority foundation violation.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • Observed no city of Chicago food sanitation manager certification posted in facility. Must post original, valid city of Chicago food sanitation manger certificate in plain view of customers at all times. Observed no Chicago certified food sanitation manager on site while TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods are being prepped (chicken, steak, rice, beans, etc.). Instructed must have a Chicago certified food sanitation manager on site at all times when TCS foods are being prepped/served. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide written clean up procedure and equipment for vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Observed approximately 100 mice droppings scattered on the floors in dry storage room, rear hallway (near soda bag in the box) in dish storage closet (with red wall). Instructed must remove all droppings, clean and sanitize areas. Must eliminate pest issue. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Observed excessive grease, dirt and debris on floors under racks in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler), under bag in the box soda storage rack, and throughout kitchen along walls and under equipment. Must pull all equipment away from walls and must elevate all stock at least 6 inches above the floor.to properly clean. Must maintain same.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.
  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED FRESH MASA IN COOLER IN A GROCERY BAG, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINER, OR ie. BAGGIE/ZIPLOC.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSRVED THE UPRIGHT FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR TILES BROKEN IN REAR CHICKEN COOKING ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE MENS ROOM CEILING TILE WATER DAMAGED, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. OBSERVED THE CEILING TILES/ AND LIGHT SHIELDS COVERED WITH SODA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE AND CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD. ALSO REMOVE THE BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND RECAULK.
  6. License

    2 infractions

    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE REST ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING (OPEN TO PREP AREA), INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DOOR CHECK OR-SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTOION DEVICE FOR HOSE CONNECTION. USE OF WATER HOSE PROHIBITED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN AIR GAP. (PHOTO OF DEVICE GIVEN).

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