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TAQUERIA LA SIUDAD

5005 S ASHLAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA LA SIUDAD has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 25, 2010. The most recent inspection, on January 24, 2013, found no infractions.

2 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: Pests and 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.

  • 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 November 29, 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 October 25, 2010. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 8 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 10, 2012. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 6, 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. REPAIR SAME.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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.FOOD EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN.MUST CLEAN.
  4. Canvass

    2 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.EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL. EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECTS/GNATS FLYING THRU-OUT PREMISES AND 18 ON WALLS AT 3-COMP SINK IN PREP AREA,6-RODENT DROPPINGS/RAT DROPPINGS,AND ANIMAL FECES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF BASEMENT AROUND HOT WATER TANK. MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE AREAS. CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. ALSO REAR AND FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED AT BOTTOM AREAS OF DOORS,1/4 INCH AREAS. MUST REPAIR. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT AVAILABLE.MUST PROVIDE AT NEXT INSPECTION.SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED.
    • 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.FOOD EQUIPMENT/COOKING NOT CLEAN.MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
  5. Canvass

    2 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. OPENING/HOLES IN BASEMENT FLOOR. MUST SEAL/REPAIR.
    • 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. 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. LEAKY FAUCET HEAD ON 3-COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER AIR TEMP AT 43.1F-MUST ADJUST THERMOSTAT TO ACHIEVE INTERNAL TEMP OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • REAR OUTSIDE AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED, ALL DEBRIS AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES MUST BE REMOVED FROM THIS AREA- NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PAINT EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIORS & EXTERIORS OF ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS, AND CAN OPENER BASE ATTACHED TO 3 COMP. SINK.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REMOVE ALL TRACES OF DRIPPED PAINT FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT. REPAIR CRACKS IN FLOOR TILES IN DINING AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • PAINT RAW WOOD AROUND DOORWAY LEADING INTO BASEMENT. REMOVE DRIPPED PAINT FROM WALLS AT FRONT DOOR AREA. FINISH PAINTING WALL IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • ATTACH SELF-CLOSING DEVICE TO WASHROOM DOORS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE CLUTTERED AREAS IN REAR SECTIONS OF BASEMENT.

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