MERCADITO CHICAGO

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT DUMP SINK IN BASEMENT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT FIRST FLOOR BAR MAINTAINING IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. QUATERNARY AMMONIUM BASED CHEMICAL WAS CONNECTED TO MACHINE. PIC STATES THEY HAVE NO ADDITIONAL CHLORINE BASED SANITIZER TO CONNECT TO MACHINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN MACHINE SO THAT IT DELIVERS 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN GASKETS ON INTERIOR OF 4 DOOR DRAWER COOLER LOCATED UNDERNEATH GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN GASKETS IN GOOD CONDITION.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET OF SPRAYER SINK LOCATED NEAR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BASEMENT DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNUSED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER PLACE "OUT OF ORDER" SIGN ON MACHINE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN, OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MACHINE, DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" LOCATED IN STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO THE BASEMENT BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MAKER CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) HELD INSIDE OF THE 3-DOOR PREP LINE COOLER IN THE BASEMENT KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.OBSERVED COOKED LOBSTER AT 51.3F AND MIXED CHEESES AT 45.5F.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 4#'S OF FOOD WORTH $150.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED A 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE BASEMENT KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE (WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50.0F) NO TCS FOODS HELD INSIDE SAID COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.***SEE COMMENTS BELOW***

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED SOME BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 3 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE 1ST FLOOR UNISEX WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEMS TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO EXPOSED SINK FOR HANDWASHING LOCATED IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR FOR CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BASEMENT IMPROPERLY SANITIZING AT A CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BASEMENT, LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM CONCENTRATION OF 50PPM CHLORINE AFTER REPAIR. CORRECTED ON SITE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE REPAIRED BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION AFTER REPAIR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE SANITIZING PROPERLY AT 50 PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU IDENTIFYING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD ASTERISK IDENTIFYING ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED ICE IN ICE BIN AT BAR WITH NO LID/COVER ON ICE BIN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID/COVER FOR ICE BIN AT BAR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE IN ICE BIN DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO SPLASHES, DUST OR OTHER CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED HOT HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN CEVICHE STATION IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE HOT HOLDING UNIT IN CEVICHE STATION IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO SPLASHES.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED NO VENT COVER ON OPENING IN AIR DUCT IN BASMENT ABOVE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN STOREROOM IN BASEMENT WITH ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER FOR OPENING IN AIR DUCT OR RELOCATE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM DUST IN OPEN AIR DUCT.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED EQUIPMENT STORED ON BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT STOREROOM WITH ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DIM STOREROOM IN BASEMENT WITH ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY IN AREA WITH ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: ADDITIONAL WATER PRESURE NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION ARE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUT PROVIVE AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERCED BROKEN LIGT SHIELD COVER ABOVE DISH WASHING MACHINE. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR COFFEE STATION. MUST PROVDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT#2559719 ON 6/22/2022. VIOLATION#58 OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN BAR AND SERVER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE CHEST IN REAR SERVER STATION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE OUTSIDE OF ICE.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED 1 BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN HOOD ABOVE COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASH SINK IN BAR RENDERED INACCESSIBLE DUE TO BOTTLES BEING STORED IN IT. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY REMOVED BOTTLES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS FREE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED AT BAR MAINTAINING IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZATION CONCENTRATION OF 100PPM CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING CHLORINE AT 50-100PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED 2 CUTTING BOARDS IN DOWNSTAIRS KITCHEN PREP AREA COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON THE INTERIOR OF A PREP COOLER LOCATED IN TORTILLA MAKING AREA OF DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL MISSING CEILING PANELS IN CEILING OF DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED AN UNPROTECTED LIGHT BULB ABOVE DISH PIT LOCATED IN DOWNSTAIRS DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO COVER AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED (SUGAR ) INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF DUSTY ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A CLEAN HOLDER.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: WALK-IN COOLER FAN COVER NOT CLEAN, DUST BUILD_UP NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.