Big Star

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS HELD AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 45-48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED: 1/4 POUND COOKED VEGETABLES, 2 POUNDS FISH FILET, 1/2 POUND CHORIZO, 1 POUND CUT LEAFY GREENS, AND 1/3 POUND CHEESE ($200). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED 2 COOLERS WITH INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES OF 51 F AND 53 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON WALK-IN COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON EXTERIOR OF USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER LOCATED IN IN REAR GARBAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE TORTILA CHIP SCOOPER STORED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING WITH FOOD CONTACT SURFACE EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE TORTILLA SCOOPER BETWEEN USES.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

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

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: PAPER DISPOSABLE CUPS USED AS A FOOD SCOOP, INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF COLD TCS FOODS STORED IN FRONT 3-DOOR PREP COOLER OBSERVED COOKED CHORIZO AT 47.3F, POBLANO RAJAS WITH SOUR CREAM AT 52.9F AND CHIHUAHUA CHEESE AT 48.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD APPROXIMATELY 26.25LBS VALUE OF $161.57. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COLD TCS FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED. COS.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING ON TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND PREP COOLERS. MUST PROPERLY LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DOOR GASKET IN POOR REPAIR AT THE FRONT 1-DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS ABOVE PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND DISH MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: NOTED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE ACCUMULATION ON THE HOODVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE HOODVENTS SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE.FOUND MELTED CHEESE(MADE WITH MILK AND FLOUR) INSIDE A WHITE CONTAINER,STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AT TEMP OF 55.3F TO 55.4F.PRODUCTS WAS COOKED YESTERDAY,COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW.FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS 8,VALUE 60 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC CONTAINERS INIDE DRY FOOD(SUGAR,FLOUR ETC)INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE UTENSILS/SCOOP WITH HANDLES.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: PARTIALLY MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 2-5-16,REPORT#163407 #38- SLOW DRAINING MIDDLE SINK AT BAR NORTH SIDE ,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE. OBSERVED PLASTICS CAPS BEING USED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE PROPER STOPPERS. WE(MANAGERS AND MYSELF)OBSERVED TODAY THE SAME VIOLATION SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-090

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: PARTIALLY MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE:COOKED CARROTS STORED INSIDE THE TORTILLAS HOT HOLDING UNIT AT TEMP OF 88.7F.UNIT MAINTAINS TEMP OF 124.6F TO 128.9F.HOT FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 140F AND ABOVE.FOOD WITH TEMPERATURE ABUSE DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER.POUNDS 2, VALUE $10. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A).

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. OBSERVED THE COOK WITH GLOVED HANDS PICKING COOKED FOOD AND EATING THEM, THEN WIPED HANDS ON BLUE LINENS AND CONTINUE TO HANDLE FOOD, ALSO SCRATCHING FOREHEAD AND CONTINUED TO COOK, OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH GLOVED HANDS TOUCHING NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACE SUCH AS: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, GARBAGE CANS, DIRTY HANDLES FROM WALK-IN COOLER, WIPING HANDS WITH BLUE LINEN CLOTHS, WHICH EVERY EMPLOYEE HAVE ATTACHED ON APRON, BELT OR LEFT ON TOP THE PREP TABLES/CUTTING BOARDS. NO HAND WASHING NOR REMOVAL OF GLOVES WAS OBSERVED AFTER EACH TASK.EMPLOYEE WERE HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD:LETTUCE,CHEESE ETC. AND COOKING,PREPARING FOOD. HAND WASHING INFORMATION GIVEN TO MANAGER. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-010(A).

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK AT PREP AREA (EMPLOYEES WERE PREPARING FOOD:HOME MADE TORTILLAS). OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WIPING HER HANDS ON BLUE LINEN WHICH WAS STORED ON TOP CUTTING BOARD, DUE TO NO PAPER PROVIDED. UPON MY REQUEST MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-030.

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS - Comments: PREVIOUS SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED/VISIBLE TO CUSTMERS ON PREMISES FROM 12-29-15, REPORT #1445388. PRESENTLY POSTED IS THE SUMMARY FROM JANUARY 12, 2015. NEW SUMMARY REPORT GIVEN AND POSTED. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-42-010(B).

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: KNIVES STORED BETWEEN THE PREP TABLE AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE PROPERLY STORED,OR PROVIDE A KNIFE RACK

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: DEBRIS AT INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INCLUDED DEEP FRIES . RUST INSIDE THE ICE BIN AT BAR AREA(EAST SITE),INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.DEBRIS ON PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS,FILTERS AND HOOD.BLACK SLIME INSIDE THE CABINET UNDER THE WATER SINK AT WAITER STATION,ALSO AT OTHER SIDE CABINET HAS ACCUMULATION OF SPLATTERED FOOD,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE TORTILLA PREP AREA.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN IS IN POOR REPAIR, PEELING PAINT AND UNEVEN FLOOR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLS, UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENTS.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: BROKEN WALLS UNDER BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINKS IN THE KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. ALSO WALLS AROUND MOP SINK ARE DIRTY. CLEAN GRIMES ON WALLS UNDER THE DISHMACHINE, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENTS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPAIR WALL WITH A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: SLOW DRAINING MIDDLE SINK AT BAR NORTH SIDE ,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE. OBSERVED PLASTICS CAPS BEING USED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE PROPER STOPPERS.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL PREP COOLERS.

NO SMOKING REGULATIONS - Comments: NO "NO SMOKING" SIGN OR THE INTERNATIONAL "NO SMOKING" SYMBOL POSTED ON PREMISES. SIGNS TO BE POSTED AT EVERY ENTRANCE CLEARLY STATING THAT SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. POSTING OF SIGN: 7-32-020A. FIRST VIOLATION OF CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANACE.