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PERLA TAPATIA

3251 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PERLA TAPATIA has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 2, 2011. The most recent inspection, on January 12, 2012, 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: Pests and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 2, 2011. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 March 2, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 9, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 on March 2, 2011. 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.ALL KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF COOLERS,ICE MACHINE,INTERIORS OF 3 COMP SINK,GRILL,DEEP FRYER,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES INCLUDING LEGS EQUIPMENTS,SHELVINGS THROUGHOUT REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.FOUND WALLS ALONG COOLERS AND ATTACHED HOOD EQUIPMENT MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE,REMOVE SOILED ALUMINUM FOIL SAME AREAS.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.FOUND APPROXIMATELY 30 RAT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT CLUTTERED DRY STORAGE AREA.MUST CLEAN,SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS,SEAL NOTICEABLE OPENINGS ON WALLS/CEILINGS,AROUND PIPES SAME AREA,PEST CONTROL CO SERVICE NOW RECCOMENDED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.ALL KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF COOLERS,ICE MACHINE,INTERIORS OF 3 COMP SINK,GRILL,DEEP FRYER,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES INCLUDING LEGS EQUIPMENTS,SHELVINGS THROUGHOUT REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.CLEAN and maintain the floors and baseboards so they are smooth and sanitary from corner to corner seal openings on floors.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.FOUND WALLS ALONG COOLERS AND ATTACHED HOOD EQUIPMENT MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE,REMOVE SOILED ALUMINUM FOIL SAME AREAS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.FOUND LIGHT BULBS OVER KITCHEN AREA NOT SHIELDED.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MONITORING FOOD TEMPERATURES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.FOUND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AT BASEMENT-MUST REMOVE DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.

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