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TAQUERIA EL JALAPENO

5422 W FULLERTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60639 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA EL JALAPENO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 4, 2010. The most recent inspection, on July 17, 2012, found no infractions.

2 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.

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 once on August 4, 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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 4, 2011. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 4, 2011. 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE BEHIND UPPER PANEL.
    • 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. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT FOOD PREP AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND FLOORS IN REAR AREA UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License

    7 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. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL METAL DRAINBOARD ATTACHED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.-----MUST RE CAULK AROUND EXPOSED HAND SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.----MUST CLEAN AND REPAINT GREASE BOX UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, MUST REPAINT RAW WOOD BEHIND FRONT COUNTER SERVICE.-----INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN CHEST FREEZER DOOR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION AND BROKEN RUBBER GASKET AROUND REACH-IN COOLER AND PREP COOLER DOOR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING AND MAINTAINING: INTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE (BEHIND UPPER PANEL) WITH LIME BUILD-UP, INTERIOR CABINET UNDER HAND SINK (PREP/WASHROOM), FOOD CART WHEELS, AROUND PIPES WITH GREASE BUILD-UP, RUBBER GASKET AROUND COOLERS WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS.
    • 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. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT.------MUST RESEAL UNSEALED FLOOR BASEBOARD IN FRONT DINING AREA (BY FRONT WINDOW).
    • 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. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS THROUGHOUT FOOD PREP AREA WITH DRIED FOOD SPILLAGE OR REPAINT.-----MUST FIX WALLS WITH HOLE NEXT TO REACH-IN COOLER IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT MOP SINK.------MUST PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 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. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE AND ACCURATE INSIDE ALL COOLER AND FREEZERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN REAR PREP AREA TO PREVENT RODENT AND INSECT HARBORAGE.

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