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RJ'S MEXICAN GRILL TACOS & BURRITOS

5536 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

RJ'S MEXICAN GRILL TACOS & BURRITOS has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 26, 2021. The most recent inspection, on March 28, 2024, found no infractions.

1 of 6 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 Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 23, 2023. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 August 30, 2023. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on August 23, 2023. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 19, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 July 26, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15: OBSERVED GAP ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-202.15: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON TIP OF CAN OPENER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CAN OPENER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE OR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES ON ICE MACHINE AND UTILITY SINK SO THAT IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15: OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR FAUCET AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11: OBSERVED MISSING OR STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT DINING AND REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE.
  3. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES ABOVE 41F, DICED TOMATOES 55.6F, BEEF 58.1F, CHICKEN 59.6, MOZZARELLA CHEESE 61.0F, SOUR CREAM 52.9F, GUACAMOLE 59.2F, CHICKEN 55.2F, PORK 60.1F, BEEF 59.2F, BEEF 57.4F, SHREDDED LETTUCE 58.8F AND SLICED TOMATOES 61.0F(VALUED AT $200/ WEIGHING 25LBS). CORRECTED ON SITE FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY MANAGER. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO ASTERICK OR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON MENU IDENTIFYING WHICH ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD ASTERICK AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO MENU IDENTIFYING WHICH ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER LINKING THEM TO REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT NEXT TO UTILITY SINK WITH AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 66.4F USED TO HOLD COLD TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F AND BELOW. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED GAP ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON TIP OF CAN OPENER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CAN OPENER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR FAUCET AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE OR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES ON ICE MACHINE AND UTILITY SINK SO THAT IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING OR STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT DINING AND REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME LOCATED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DUST AND MAINTAIN.
  5. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  6. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED 2 DOOR PREP COOLER CONTAINING NO FOOD HOLDING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 61.5F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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