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TAQUERIA EL BAJIO

2820 W 55TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA EL BAJIO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 4, 2013. The most recent inspection, on February 5, 2015, found no infractions.

1 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: Food temperature control and Pests.

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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 30, 2014. 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 once on July 21, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 30, 2014. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 30, 2014. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 30, 2014. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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 Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER AVAILABLE AT REINSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INFORMED ME THAT THEY WILL NOT BE OPEN AND OPERATING UNTIL COOK TAKES CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CLASS OR REPLACEMENT IS FOUND. NO PREPPING, COOKING OR SERVING TAKING PLACE AT THIS TIME. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • COOKING VENTS ABOVE FRONT AND REAR STOVES HAVE HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING VENTS IN A SANITIARY CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ALL FLOORS UNCLEAN UNDER AND BEHIND ALL LARGE EQUIPMENT AND SHELVING. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOORS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED WALLS UNCLEAN NEXT TO GRILL IN FRONT SERVICE AREA. OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR UNCLEAN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN FRONT REFRIGERATOR OR REAR REFRIGERATORS. INSTALL THERMOMETERS IN ALL REFRIGERATORS AND CHECK OFTEN TO MAKE SURE REFRIGERATORS ARE FUNCTIONING AT 40F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED NON WORKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR OF KITCHEN INCLUDING 2 REFRIGERATORS, 1 LARGE FOOD CART, A MEAT GRINDER. ALL NON WORKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES TO DETER ANY INSECT OR RODENT HARBOR AGE
  3. 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
      • OBSERVED A 1/4 INCH GAP AT TOP OF DOOR IN REAR OF KITCHEN LEADING TO OUTSIDE.THERE SHOULD BE NO LIGHT VISIBLE ON TOP, SIDES OR BOTTOM OF DOOR. REAR DOOR MUST BE RODENTPROOF AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. 7-38-020
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICAKEN, BEEF AND PORK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • COOKING VENTS ABOVE FRONT AND REAR STOVES HAVE HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING VENTS IN A SANITIARY CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ALL FLOORS UNCLEAN UNDER AND BEHIND ALL LARGE EQUIPMENT AND SHELVING. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOORS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED WALLS UNCLEAN NEXT TO GRILL IN FRONT SERVICE AREA. OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR UNCLEAN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN FRONT REFRIGERATOR OR REAR REFRIGERATORS. INSTALL THERMOMETERS IN ALL REFRIGERATORS AND CHECK OFTEN TO MAKE SURE REFRIGERATORS ARE FUNCTIONING AT 40F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED NON WORKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR OF KITCHEN INCLUDING 2 REFRIGERATORS, 1 LARGE FOOD CART, A MEAT GRINDER. ALL NON WORKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES TO DETER ANY INSECT OR RODENT HARBOR AGE.
  4. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CUTTING BOARD AT PREP TABLE STAINED, WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • CRACKED LIGHTSHIELD IN REAR BY EXPOSED HANDSINK. REPLACE SAME.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. PROVIDE SAME.

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