NICKO'S TACOS
3706 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
NICKO'S TACOS has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 13, 2015. The most recent inspection, on April 16, 2018, found no infractions.
2 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 Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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 once on January 10, 2017. For example:
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
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 once on June 27, 2016. For example:
APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 10, 2017. For example:
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 10, 2017. For example:
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 27, 2016. 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.
5 inspections
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
4 infractions
- 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
- NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (TACOS,CHEESE BURGERS ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED AS REQUIRED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
- 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
- ALL PREPARED FOODS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED/DATED AND MAINTAINED.
- 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
- ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE KITCHEN FOOD EQUIPMENTS (POTS,PANS ETC.)MUST PROPERLY STORE AND INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MAINTAIN.
- 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
- FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
- 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- Found fallen debris (cleaning cloths) behind cooking line on floor. Instructed to remove, clean and maintain.
- 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
- Observed items stored on the floor in dry storage room. Instructed all items must be at least 6inches above the floor. Must maintain.
- 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
- Observed food handlers without proper hair restraints. Instructed all employees in food prep area must have hair restraints on (hair nets or hats).
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- License
6 infractions
- 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
- OBSERVED NO ATTACHED DRAIN BOARD ON REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA UNDER, AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST REMOVE GREASE ENCRUSTED. DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT REMOVE DIRT TRASH ETC.
- 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
- MUST SEAL OPENING INTO WALL ALONG WALLBASE IN REAR PREP AREA. OBSERVED GREASE ENCRUSTED ON WALLS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA BEHIND PREP TABLES AND EXPOSED SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR PREP AREA AND BASEMENT MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN.
- 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
- ADDITIONAL STOPPERS NEEDED AT THE REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
- 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
- OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
- 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
- FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET.NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
- 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
- License
0 infractions
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