SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

EL MEZCAL.

EAT. 82/100

1454 W 18TH ST · PILSEN, CHICAGO

Last inspected January 19, 2012 · passed

5 of 8 inspections passed, with 4 critical violations on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
8
5 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
20
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Mar 2010

INSPECTION HISTORY

JAN 19
2012
PASSED
0 violations
OCT 28
2011
PASSED
0 violations
SEP 20
2011
PASSED
0 violations
SEP 14
2011
FAILED
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALSanitation
SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW

In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. FOUND SEWER WASTE WATER ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT BY THE DRAIN PIPE.WATER IS OVER FLOWING FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN INSTRUCTED TO CALL A PLUMBER TO COME HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZED AFFECTED AREAS.CRITICAL CITATION GIVEN 7-38-030

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CLEAN FILTERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT THICK WITH GREASE BUILD-UP.

MINORSanitation
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. CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Use dustless cleaning methods. CLEAN THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS SPLASHED ON FOOD DEBRIS ON IT.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

NO DRAIN STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MJST PROVIDE.

APR 6
2011
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. THE LARGE CONTAINERS HOLDING THE FLOUR, DRIED PEPPERS ECT. NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL SAME.

MINORSanitation
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. CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE BUILDUP AND DEFROST AND CLEAN THE REACHIN FREEZERS PREP AREA HAS ICE BUILDUP.

MINORSanitation
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. CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS HAS DUST AND DIRT ON THEM.

show all 8 inspections →
APR 23
2010
PASSED
0 violations
APR 16
2010
FAILED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION UNITS TO SUPPORT MENU. CRITICAL 7-38-005(A) NO CITATION ISSUED. BUSINESS NOT OPEN AT THIS TIME. INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION.

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO PAINT RUSTED CHEST FREEZER INTERIOR AND DEFROST CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR INTERIOR LID AT CHEST FREEZER ON 1ST. FLOOR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION.

MINORSanitation
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. CLEAN FLOOR THROUGH OUT BASEMENT AND REMOCE STANDING WATER.

MINORSanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS FROM BASEMENT, CLEAN YARD NEXT TO REAR EXIT DOOR/REMOVE LARGE AREA OF STANDING WATER,AND REMOVE LARGE POTS THAT ARE UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

MAR 19
2010
FAILED
8 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. AT LICENSE RE INSPECTION ALL COOLERS MUST BE CONNECTED AND HAVE AIR TEMPS OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW AND ALL FREEZERS MUST BE 0 DEGREES OR BELOW-NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
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. APPROXIMATELY MICE DROPPINGS NOTED SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS & FREEZERS-MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, REPAIR BOTH REAR(2) & FRONT EXIT DOORS MAKING THEM ALL TIGHT-FITTING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY-NO CITATION ISSUED

SERIOUSPlumbing & Waste
DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

All dish washing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health. ATTACH A METAL DRAINBOARD TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST MAKE SURE NO UNAPPROVED SUBSTANCE WAS USED TO SEAL SECTIONS OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ONLY WELDING IS ALLOWED. NEED TO REPLACE METAL SPRAYER WITH A FAUCET THAT EXTENDS INTO ALL 3 SECTIONS OF 3 COMP SINK-NO CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
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. DEFROST DEEP FREEZER WITH EXCCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP IN IT AND ANY OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES.

MINORSanitation
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. REPAIR & REPLACE CURRENT FLOOR SURFACE INSIDE & RIGHT OUTSIDE OF WASHROOM IN DINING AREA(WOMEN'S). SEAL/MAKE LEVEL ALL FLOORING IN DINING ROOM AREA AND RE-PAINT SECTIONS OF SAME WHERE PAINT HAS WORE AWAY. DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT UNDERNEATH & BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT(INCLUDING ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS) ALONG ALL WALL BASES AND IN CORNERS. CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. REMOVE ALL CHIPPING PAINT FROM WALLS & BASEBOARDS, SMOOTH AREAS & RE-PAINT SAME. REMOVE TRACES OF PAINT FROM WALLS IN WASHROOM

MINORPlumbing & Waste
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. ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE COMPLETELY UNDERNEATH THE EXHAUST HOOD IN FOOD PREP AREA. PLACE A BARRIER AT MOP SINK IN REAR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT AT 3 COMPARTMENT

MINORSanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. ELIMINATE CLUTTERED AREAS IN BASEMENT.

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN PILSEN