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PICANTE'S AUTHENTACO

1141 N ASHLAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PICANTE'S AUTHENTACO has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 25, 2014. The most recent inspection, on July 12, 2019, found no infractions.

2 of 7 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, Pests 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 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 12, 2016. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 12, 2016. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 September 8, 2017. 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 12 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 12, 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 8, 2017. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REMOVE CARDBOARD FLATS FROM THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOOR THAT OPENS INTO THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SELF-CLOSING. MUST INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE DOOR.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    9 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 5-3-16 ,REPORT #1764055 #18- OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED.FOUND ALL DOORS WITH 1/4" TO 1" GAP.RODENT/INSECT PROOF ALL DOORS. TODAY OUTER OPENINGS STILL NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOF CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-42-090
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • up-graded to violation#14
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • BROKEN SCREEN MESH AT SIDE DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. MISSING FILTERS ABOVE THE CHARCOAL AND FLAT GRILL INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDED, REMOVE ALUMINUM FOILS UNDER THE CHARCOAL UNIT AND WRAPPED AROUND PIPE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • REMOVE EXCESS WATER AND BLACK SUBSTANCE FROM INSIDE THE SMALL COOLEER BY THE STOVE. GREASE ON FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS(CHARCAOL AND FLAT GRILL),INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • EXCESS WATER ON FLOOR AT REAR PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS UNDER THE CHARCOAL GRILL WITH SPLATTERED FOOD,ALSO PIPES BEHIND SAME MENTIONED UNIT. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKING PIPE UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO STEM THERMOMETER PROVIDED ON PREMISES,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • IF PATIO AREA IS USED FOR CUSTOMERS,MUST REMOVE CARS,GARBAGE CONTAINER,AND ALL OTHER ITEMS.KEEP AREA CLEAN AND FREE OF CLUTTER
  5. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • FOUND TWO DOOR COOLER UNDER THE FLAT GRILL AT AIR TEMP OF 51.6F TO 57.7F. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD WERE STORED INSIDE THE UNIT: MARINATE BEEF, AND CHEESE. COOLER MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW. TAGGED UNIT "HELD FOR INSPECTION" DO NOT USE CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: 30 POUNDS OF RAW BEEF ATTEMP OF 51.4F TO 53.7F. 18 POUNDS OF SHREDDED CHEESE AT TEMP OF 55.7F TO 58F.FOOD WAS STORED INSIDE THE ABOVE MENTIONED UNIT.FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED WITH BLEACH BY THE OWNER/CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER.POUNDS 48,VALUE 216 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND GLUE STICK HANGING ON WALL ABOVE THE DISPLAY PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN. OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED.FOUND ALL DOORS WITH 1/4" TO 1" GAP.NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ON PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GLUE STICK FROM PREP AREA CONTACT PEST CONTROL.RODENT/INSECT PROOF ALL DOORS. PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-020
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • BROKEN SCREEN MESH AT SIDE DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. MISSING FILTERS ABOVE THE CHARCOAL AND FLAT GRILL INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDED, REMOVE ALUMINUM FOILS UNDER THE CHARCOAL UNIT AND WRAPPED AROUND PIPE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • REMOVE EXCESS WATER AND BLACK SUBSTANCE FROM INSIDE THE SMALL COOLEER BY THE STOVE. GREASE ON FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS(CHARCAOL AND FLAT GRILL),INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • EXCESS WATER ON FLOOR AT REAR PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS UNDER THE CHARCOAL GRILL WITH SPLATTERED FOOD,ALSO PIPES BEHIND SAME MENTIONED UNIT. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKING PIPE UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO STEM THERMOMETER PROVIDED ON PREMISES,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • IF PATIO AREA IS USED FOR CUSTOMERS,MUST REMOVE CARS,GARBAGE CONTAINER,AND ALL OTHER ITEMS.KEEP AREA CLEAN AND FREE OF CLUTTER
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS THROUGH OUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • NO ONE ON SITE WITH FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON ATTENDING CLASSES.
  7. License

    2 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • PROVIDE COVING ALONG WALLS IN PREP AREA. REPLACE MISSING OUTLET AND LIGHT SWITCH COVERS. REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION FAN COVER IN WASHROOM.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

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