CRUZ BLANCA BREWERY & TAQUERIA AND LENA BRAVA

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE PREP TABLE BEHIND THE LENA CRUZ 2ND FLOOR BAR.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15 REPAIR THE LEAK AROUND THE RIM OF THE SPRAYER SINK LOCATED NEXT TO THE DISHWASHER.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL FEMALE WASHROOMS.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 6-202.14 OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: 5-501.116 CLEAN THE TOP OF THE OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER IN THE ALLEY.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOOR AND CEILING TILES IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN THE WALLS AND FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE CRUZ BLANCA TACO BAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.11 REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE CRUZ BLANCA TACO BAR AREA. SEAL THE OPENINGS IN THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREA. REGROUT THE FLOOR TILES IN THE BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREA.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE 2ND FLOOR DISHROOM LOCATED NEXT TO THE LENA CRUZA BAR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS WHERE DISHES ARE WASHED.

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: 8-404.13(B)(3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2623606 ON 9/10/25 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED APPROX. 30 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA, DISHWASHING AREAS AND BEHIND THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE ELEVATOR AND BASEMENT BREWERY AREA. ALSO OBSERVED APPROX. 50 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS AND 5 HOUSE FLIES IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREAS AND DISHWASHING AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: 3-301.11(B) OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE HANDLE READY-TO-EAT FOODS (TORTILLAS) WITH THEIR BARE HANDS IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED APPROX. 10 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA, DISHWASHING AREAS AND MECHANICAL ROOM. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY fOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: 4-903.12 OBSERVED CLEAN FOOD EQUIPMENT STORED IN AN OPEN ROOM IN THE WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT CLEAN EQUIPMENT CANNOT BE STORED IN THE WASHROOMS.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE PREP TABLE BEHIND THE LENA CRUZ 1ST FLOOR BAR.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL FEMALE WASHROOMS.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 6-202.14 OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: 5-501.116 CLEAN THE TOP OF THE OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER IN THE ALLEY.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOOR AND CEILING TILES IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN THE WALLS AND FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE CRUZ BLANCA TACO BAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.11 REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE CRUZ BLANCA TACO BAR AREA. SEAL THE OPENINGS IN THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREA.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE 2ND FLOOR DISHROOM LOCATED NEXT TO THE LENA CRUZA BAR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS WHERE DISHES ARE WASHED.

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: 8-404.13(B)(3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2622897 ON 8/26/25 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED OVER 100 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS AND 10 HOUSE FLIES ON THE WALL, CEILING AND FLYING AROUND IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS AND 1ST FLOOR LENA BRAVA BAR AND FOOD PREP AREA, AND 2ND FLOOR LENA BRAVA BAR. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED MOLD-LIKE GROWTH ON INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES INSIDE OF ALL 3 ICE MACHINES LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL THE ICE MACHINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHLORINE SANITIZER DETECTED AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE BEHIND THE CRUZ BLANCA 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR BARS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE DISH MACHINE AT A CONCENTRATION OF 100 PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROX. 30 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS AND 15 HOUSE FLIES ON THE WALL, CEILING AND FLYING AROUND IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS AND 1ST FLOOR LENA BRAVA FOOD PREP AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAN FOOD EQUIPMENT STORED IN AN OPEN ROOM IN THE WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT CLEAN EQUIPMENT CANNOT BE STORED IN THE WASHROOMS.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL FEMALE WASHROOMS.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR IN THE BASEMENT WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: CLEAN THE TOP OF THE OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER IN THE ALLEY.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE FLOOR AND CEILING TILES IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: REPAIR THE WATER DAMAGED DRYWALL ON THE CEILING BEHIND THE VENTILATION HOOD IN THE CRUZ BLANCA TACO BAR.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE 2ND FLOOR DISHROOM LOCATED NEXT TO THE LENA CRUZA BAR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS WHERE DISHES ARE WASHED.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE TORTILLA GRILL IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC - Comments: OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE HAND SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. THE FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR THE HAND SINK DURING THE INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NOTED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. THE SANITIZING STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY SANITIZED AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 4 LBS OF BEEF AT 52.5, 4 LBS OF PORK AT 51.5, AND 3 LBS OF OYSTERS AT 51.7. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 11 LBS AT $250. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE, OR REMINDER TO INFORM CONSUMERS OF THE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS FROM CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEATS, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH, OR EGGS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 52.1F AT COLD HOLDING UNIT. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE COLD-HOLDING COOLERS AND REFRIGERATORS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT PROPERLY.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INTERIOR OF 2 DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED T OREPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON CAULK AROUND HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CAULK, CLEAN, SANITIZE, RE-CAULK AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE FEMALE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED IN ICE BIN AT FRONT BAR. MUST STORE SCOOP IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WHEN NOT IN USE.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT PREP AREA ON 1ST FLOOR WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND SINKS IN MEN'S BATHROOM IN BASEMENT HALLWAY FOUND AT 90.3F. OTHER HAND WASHING SINK WAS AT PROPER TEMPERATURE AT 100.0F. OBSERVED IMPROPER WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM ON 2ND FLOOR AT 90.9F. OTHER WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND SINK IN BATHROOM WAS AT 100.0F. MUST MAINTAIN ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 100.0F.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF CRUSHED ICE MACHINE, AND LARGE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING PIPE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY TOILET FEATURES ON TOILET ROOMS IN BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.