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PALETERIA EL POTRILLO

8548 S COMMERCIAL AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60617 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PALETERIA EL POTRILLO has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 22, 2010. The most recent inspection, on July 5, 2019, found no infractions.

1 of 10 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 Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 once on July 21, 2015. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 August 5, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 14 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 6, 2018. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 2016. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 2016. For example: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND WATER LEAKING FROM THE COLD FAUCET KNOB AT THE THREE COMP SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA; REPAIR LEAK FROM FAUCET KNOB.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST LABEL BULK FOOD CONTAINER IN REAR OF PREMIES,INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINER
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE AT PREP AREAS
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION STILL NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1561447 DATE 7-21-15 (45)MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE OR PROOF OF ENROLLEMENT UPON NEXT INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT. SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-42-090.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTER BEHIND FRONT PREP TABLE.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • SEE VIOLATION #29
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM THE REAR EALK-IN COOLER,INSTRUCTED TONCLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUUIPMENT
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE THE PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE OR PROOF OF ENROLLEMENT UPON NEXT INSPECTION
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FOUND THE WALK IN FREEZER (IN THE REAR) AND THE REACH IN FREEZER (IN THE FRONT) WITH ICE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • FOUND TOILET DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING, INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR SELF CLOSING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • FOUND WASH CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (WITH THE PROPER PPM OF SOLUTION) WHEN NOT IN USE.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FAUCET LEAKY AT 3-COMP BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.MUST REPAIR.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.OBSERVED CUT FRUIT PRE-PACKAGED, AND SOME CHIPS ALL OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITH OUT LABELS INSTRUCTED ON PROPER LABELING NAME, ADDRESS,PHONE # ITEM NAME,ETC.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ICE IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage.NEED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SYRUP PUMPS FROMT PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. NOZZEL LEAKING AT FACUET ABOVE THE ICECREAM MACHINE TOP HOPPER INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A PARTITIONER/DIVIDER TO SEPARATE EXPOSED HAND SINK FROM 3-COMP. SINK IN FRONT AND MIDDLE PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST REPIAR DAMAGED/HOLE IN FLOOR IN FRONT PREP AREA IN FRONT OF PREP REACH-IN COOLER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN VENTS IN HALLWAY AND SEAL OPENING AROUND PIPE UNDER MIDDLE HANDWASHING SINK.

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