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TAQUERIA DON PANCHO'S

1943 W 51ST ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA DON PANCHO'S has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 13, 2010. The most recent inspection, on March 13, 2014, found no infractions.

5 of 11 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 December 28, 2011. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 October 27, 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 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 April 28, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 April 13, 2010. 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 11 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on February 6, 2013. For example: CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • ALL MULTI USE UTENSILS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED MANNER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: INTERIOR OF WALK IN COOLER SHELVES, PREP TABLES, AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS THROUGH OUT BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOOR IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA IN NEED OF REPAIR/REPLACING CEILING TILES. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ANY UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN REAR AREA MUST BE REMOVED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 27. TOILET ROOMS ENCLOSED CLEAN, PROVIDED WITH HAND CLEANSER, SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AND PROPER WASTE RECEPTACLES
      • NO SOAP, SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, OR TOILET PAPER IN ANY OF THE FIVE TOILET ROOMS. EMPLOYEE HAD TO LEAVE PREMISES TO PURCHASE SAME. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 SERIOUS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME. PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
  6. Short Form Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY.(MUST STORE INVERTED).
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOODHANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  7. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  8. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    3 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.REAR DOOR NOT TIGHT-FITTING/IN POOR REPAIR AT TOP AND BOTTOM SIDES.MUST REPAIR. EVIDENCE OF RODENT DROPPINGS-RAT DROPPINGS IN STORAGE ROOMS AND UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS. FOUND 32 RAT DROPPINGS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE. RECOMMENED PEST SERVICE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED
    • 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.ELEVATE STORAGE OFF FLOORS AND CLEAN BASEMENT FLOORS OF DEBRIS.
    • 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.OPENING IN WALLS IN BASEMENT.MUST REPAIR/SEAL.
  10. Canvass

    3 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. MUST LABEL/DATE FOODS/MEATS IN FREEZER,PREP FOOD IN WALK IN COOLER.
    • 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. NO SOAP,HAND DEVICE IN WASHROOMS-1ST/BASEMENT FLOORS.MUST INSTALL.
    • 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.FLOORS NOT CLEAN IN MOP ROOM ,BASEMENT FURNACE ROOM,UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS. MUST CLEAN FLOORS FROM DEBRIS.
  11. Special Events (Festivals)

    4 infractions

    • 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. RUSTY SURFACES, MUST REMOVE RUST ON METAL WIRE SHELVES IN REAR STORAGE, PAINT WITH A NON-TOXIC PAINT.
    • 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. REPAIR CEILING IN WALK-IN COOLER, KEEPING COLD AIR IN COOLER. REPLACE DAMAGED WEATHER STRIPING ON REAR EXIT DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. FAN GUARD COVER IN WALK-IN COOLER RUSTY, REMOVE RUST AND PAINT WITH A NON-TOXIC PAINT.
    • 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. PROVIDE THEROMETERS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.

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