MERCADITO CHICAGO

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT SANITIZING AT FINAL RINSE, 0PPM OBTAINED ON TEST STRIPS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. BY THE END OF INSPECTION MACHINE WAS REPAIRED.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY NO DISCLAIMER FOR UNDER COOKED FOOD "CEVICHE" INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON MENU. NO CITATION ISSUED

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: UTENSILS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CHIPPED WALL BEHIND CLEAN UTENSILS RACK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DURABLE SURFACE

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 3 LIVE ROACHES IN WALL CORNER SEAM AT MAIN BAR, TO THE LEFT OF THE CEVICHE STATION HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY AND RECOMMENDED SERVICE BY LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-020

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED OIL ACCUMULATING IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE COOK LINE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED GARBAGE AND STRAY ITEMS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE MAIN KITCHEN DISH MACHINE. ALSO NOTED STRAY PRODUCE ON THE FLOOR AROUND THE JUICING MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED JUICING MACHINE IN STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO THE "LA MEZ" BAR PREP ROOM WITHOUT CONVENIENTLY ACCESSIBLE HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED THAT AN EXPOSED HANDSINK MUST BE INSTALLED IN THIS ROOM TO SERVE FOOD HANDLING ACTIVITY (JUICING) OR RELOCATE JUICING MACHINE TO A PREP AREA THAT IS SERVED BY AN EXPOSED HAND SINK. OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE WASTE PIPING OF THE HAND SINK IN THE "LA MEZ" BAR PREP ROOM. MUST REPAIR.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED GUACAMOLE AT 53.6F IN AN ICE CHEST COOLER, COOKED RICE AT 134.1F IN A HOT HOLDING UNIT, AND CHICKEN AT 124.9F IN A HOT HOLDING UNIT. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED ALL HOT AND COLD FOODS WITH AN APPROXIMATE WEIGHT OF 95# WORTH $500. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME OPERATING AND HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS, PULLED PORK,ETC. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 20-30 LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN DISH AREA AND NEAR ICE MACHINES. MUST ELIMINATE FRUIT FLY INFESTATION AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED. WHEN FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED IT BACKS UP INTO MIDDLE COMPARTMENT. MUST ABATE BACK UP AND MAINTAIN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLOSEST TO WALL UNCLEAN WITH DIRT ON INTERIOR WHERE ICE IS MADE. CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN DETAIL.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ICE MACHINES MUST BE CLEANED IN DETAIL. CLEAN AND TREAT FLOOR DRAIN NEAR ICE MACHINES. OBSERVED FLOOR IN DISH AREA NEED TO BE CLEANED IN DETAIL AND FLOOR DRAINS NEED TO BE CLEANED AND TREATED BY PEST CONTROL.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED CEILINGS AND WALLS NOT FINISHED (MADE OF RAW AND BROKEN CONCRETE) IN SMALL ROOM IN BASEMENT NEAR JUICING STATION AND BASEMENT BAR. ALL CEILINGS AND WALLS MUST BE FINISHED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE IN ANY AREA WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED OR STORED SO THAT FOOD IS PROTECTED.

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED REFRIGERATION UNIT CONTAINING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD INCLUDING SHRIMP, LOBSTER AND CHICKEN AT IMPROPER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 52.5F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD WITHIN REFRIGERATION UNIT: 1.5 LBS OF AVACADO AT 57.6F VALUED AT $10, 4LBS OF CHEESE AT 49.5F VALUED AT $25, 3 LBS OF COOKED MUSHROOMS VALUED AT $5 AT 46.0F, 6 LBS OF COOKED SHRIMP AT 53.1F VALUED AT $50, 5 LBS OF LOBSTER AT 46.4F VALUED AT $50, 4 LBS OF COOKED POTATO AT 47.8F VALUED AT $8, 6 LBS OF COOKED SHRIMP AT 48.9F VALUED AT $40, 1.5 LBS OF COOKED PEPPERS AT 44.6F VALUED AT $20, 3LBS OF SHRIMP ENCHILADAS AT 52.1F VALUED AT $30, 2LBS OF CHICKEN VALUED AT 54.3F VALUED AT $10. OBSERVED 5 LBS OF CEVICHE AT 55.4F VALUED AT $25 AND 5 LBS OF OCTOPUS VALUED AT $15 AT 67.4F. ALL FOOD WAS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DESTROYED. CRITICAL VIOALTION 7-38-005 (A)

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED POOR HYGEINIC PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLER WORKING AT CEVICHE STATION BEHIND BAR. OBSEVED FOOD HANDLER USING ONLY EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT STATION TO RINSE BOWLS AND TO ADD WATER FROM HAND SINK TO OCTOPUS BEING PREPPPED. MANAGER WAS INFORMED THAT EXPOSED HAND SINK MUST BE USED FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. NOT FOR DISH WASHING OR ANY KIND AND NOT FOR FOOD PREP OF ANY KIND.MANAGEMENT WAS INFORMED OF ALL BAD PRACTICES AND THEY WERE ADDRESSED DURING INSPECTION. CRITCAL VIOLATION 7-38-010 (A

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA - Comments: OBSERVED JUICING STATION IN BASEMENT WITH EXPOSED HAND SINK INACCESSIBLE BY GARBAGE CAN. OBSERVED STRAINER FOR JUICE PULP INSIDE ONLY EXPOSED HAND SINK FOR THE PREP AREA MAKING IT INCONVEINIENT TO USE. OBSERVED NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS AT ONLY EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK FOR FOOD PREP AREA. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED SPLASH GUARDS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND MAIN BAR NEAR CEVICHE STATION.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF KEG COOLER BEHIND MAIN BAR UNCLEAN. CLEAN INTERIOR OF KEG COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS UNCLEAN UNDER AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT. MUST PULL ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM WALLS AND CLEAN ALL FLOORS IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS.. REMOVE ALL STANDING WATER AND MAINTAIN.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED CEILING TILE MISSING IN JUICING FOOD PREP AREA IN BASEMENT. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED HANDLED ICE SCOOPS NEED TO BE USED BY BARTENDERS AT ALL TIMES. HANDLES NEED TO BE KEPT OUT OF ICE SO THAT ICE IS PRTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED SOME REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS NOT TIGHT FITTED. MUST HAVE REATTACH/MAKE TIGHT FIT ALL COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED SLIGHT LIME BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINES AND FOOD BUILD UP ON SHELVES IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINES AND PREP AREA SHELVES.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS ALSO FOUND STANDING WATER ON FLOOR BY MOP SINK/MISSING FLOOR TILES AT SAME. MUST KEEP FLOOR DRY/REPAIR FLOOR AT MOP SINK AREA AND CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/DUST ON CEILING TILES AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN ALL CEILING TILES/CEILING VENT COVERS.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NO EXPOSED HAND WASH BOWL AT BASEMENT BAR. MUST PROVIDE EXPOSED HAND WASH BOWL WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER AT BASEMENT BAR.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR IN THE FIRST FLOOR. RUSTED GREASE TRAP AND LID. MUST REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE. REMOVE CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A SHELVE LINER IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVE.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MISSING PART OF THE BASEBOARD/COVING BEHIND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE REACH IN FREEZER IN THE BASEMNENT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER, SUCH AS 10 LBS OF SHRIMP AT 49.0F, 4 LBS OF BEANS AT 47.5F. AND INSIDE THE PREP COOLER SUCH AS,3 LBS OF FISH AT 48.6F,2 LBS OF CHICKEN AT 44.4F. TEMPERATURE OF BOTH COOLERS AT 35.9F AND 38.F. MANAGERS DISCARDED THE SAID PRODUCTS WORTH $210.00, TOTAL 19 LBS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: FOUND FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OVER 1/2 AN INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR AND OVER ONE INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT/INSECTS PROOFED THE DOORS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR IN THE FIRST FLOOR. RUBBER GASKET ON THE DOOR OF THE TWO DOOR PREP COOLER BEHIND THE BAR RIPPED OFF. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. RUSTED GREASE TRAP AND LID. MUST REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE. REMOVE CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A SHELVE LINER IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVE.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA FOR TORTILLA AND VEGETABLES ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER,UNDER THE WIRE RACK SHELVINGS AND COOLERS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MISSING PART OF THE BASEBOARD/COVING BEHIND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE REACH IN FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE WALLS BY THE DISH WASHING AREA AND BY THE PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: NOTED A GRAYISH,PINKISH AND SLIMY SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ON TO THE ICE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE ICE MACHINE UNTIL PROPERLY CLEANED AND MAINTAINED. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED COMPANY TO CLEAN MACHINE.BY END OF INSPECTION AT ABOUT 12:15 PM, COMPANY ARRIVED ON SITE AND CLEANED THE ICE MACHINE. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-005(A).

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: NOTED WASTE WATER BACKING UP INSIDE ONE OF THE SINKS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE BASEMEN FOOD PREP AREA WITH DIRT AND FOOD PARTICLES. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR PERSON ARRIVED ON SITE AT ABOUT 12:40 PM. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-030.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: NOTED ASSORTED MULTI USE UTENSILS (PLATES,CUPS,BOWLS ETC) ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED.INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH HEAVY EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY BY THE SERVICE STATION AT THE FIRST FLOOR, AROUND THE DISH WASHER ROOM AND BY THE BAR OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: NOTED STAINED CEILING AND OPENINGS ON CEILING AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA OF THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED SLOW DRAIN AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE BASEMENT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.