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PICAZO'S TACO & FAST FOOD INC.

3611 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PICAZO'S TACO & FAST FOOD INC. has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 26, 2011. The most recent inspection, on March 18, 2013, found no infractions.

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

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.

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2011. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 26, 2011. For example: HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

  • 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 September 26, 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 September 26, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 8 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 26, 2012. 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

    0 infractions

  3. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 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. MUST CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT
    • 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. MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD COVER ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVES
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • MUST PROVIDE SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES BELONGINGS TO BE STORED NICE AND NEATLY, ONE DESIGNATED AREA Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. MUST PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING AT BATHROOM DOOR
  5. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health.NEW 3 COMPARTMENT SINK INSTALLED I.E. WHEN MIDDLE COMPARTMENT IS FILLED THEN RELEASED FOUND THAT WASTE WATER IS BACKING UP IN THE FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT AND THE FAUCET TO SAID SINK IS NOT REACHING ALL COMPARTMENTS EVENLY AS REQUIRED.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED AT BACKYARD,POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
  7. License

    8 infractions

    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • ADDITIONAL EXPOSED HANDSINKS WITH SOAP,HANDTOWELS ARE NEEDED AT FOOD PREP/3 COMP SINK AREAS FOR HAND WASHING-MUST INSTALL
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED-MUST RODENT PROOF FRONT REAR DOORS,REPAIR BROKEN SCREEN AT REAR EXIT DOOR.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • provide 3 comp sink and drain-boards of sufficient size to permit the complete immersion of the largest utensils and each compartment of the sink shall be supplied with hot and cold running water. All said sinks shall have attached drain boards and shall be constructed of galvanized metal or better, suitably reinforced and of such thickness and design so as to resist denting, buckling, and sloped so as to be self-draining. The sinks shall be properly trapped and comply with all of the requirements of the municipal code. Manual Cleaning And Sanitizing Of Multi-Use And Drinking Utensils
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOUND FLOOR AT REAR FOOD PREP MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST SEAL ALL NOTICEABLE OPENINGS ALONG WEST WALL OF FOOD PREP,AND INSIDE THE TOILET ROOM.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • THERMOMETERS ARE NEEDED INSIDE ALL COOLERS,FREEZERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED AT BACKYARD,REMOVE HIGH WEEDS DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.

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