SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

LA VACA MARGARITA BAR #2.

BEAT. 26/100

1969 N HALSTED ST · LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected August 2, 2022 · passed

Failed 3 of 5 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
5
1 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
38
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
2 YEARS
since Aug 2020

INSPECTION HISTORY

AUG 2
2022
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

3-304.14: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN A SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12: NOT ABLE TO CHECK BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT; UNIT IS SURROUNDED WITH CLUTTER FROM CONTAINERS, BROOMS, SHELVES, POTS ETC. INSTALL THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IF IT IS NOT ALREADY. REMOVE ITEMS. BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES MUST BE EASY TO LOCATE, SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-202.11: MISSING AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP.DISHROOM AND BASEMENT.REPLACE

JUL 15
2022
FAILED
6 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: 10 POUNDS OF COOKED RICE STORED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER AT TEMP OF 45.6F TO 46.7F AND 48F; 5 POUNDS GRILLED SLICED PORK AT TEMP OF 45.5F TO 46F, GREEN SAUCE AT TEMP OF 47.7F. MENTIONED PRODUCTS WERE STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT. PULLED CHICKEN AT TEMP OF 47.7F; CHIUAHUAH SHREDDED CHEESE AT 46.6F; BEEF WITH SAUCE AT TEMP OF 44.5F TO 45F. FOUR FRESH EGGS AT TEMP OF 58F, GUACAMOLE AT TEMP OF 49.1F, PRODUCTS MENTIONED WERE STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN. COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN A TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 20, VALUE 300

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN A SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

MULTI-USE UTENSILS USED FOR CUSTOMERS, STORED ON WHEEL CART IN HALLWAY BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR DINING AREA MUST BE COVERED OR INVERTED, INCLUDING WATER PITCHERS.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOT ABLE TO CHECK BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT; UNIT IS SURROUNDED WITH CLUTTER FROM CONTAINERS, BROOMS, SHELVES, POTS ETC. INSTALL THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IF IT IS NOT ALREADY. REMOVE ITEMS. BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES MUST BE EASY TO LOCATE, SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MISSING AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP.DISHROOM AND BASEMENT.REPLACE

MINORSanitation
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 9-1-2020, REPORT #2386666. #47) 4-101.19: STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP OF THE LID OF THE GREASE TRAP IN THE DISH ROOM. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE #55)6-201.11: RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER, NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT ON BASEMENT FLOOR, INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT. MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR. REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN BASEMENT, PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE #58) 2-102.12: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED

SEP 2
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

SEP 1
2020
FAILED
9 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE

SERIOUSSanitation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AT BAR AREA.MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED

MINOROther
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

NO HOT RUNNING WATER PROVIDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR AREA.NEED TO REPAIR CAUSE. MINIMUM OF 110F. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-025,NO CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

AUG 27
2020
FAILED
13 violations4 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NEED TO INSTALL HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND BAR AREA AT EAST SITE OF THE COUNTER,OR RELOCATE TWO ICE BINS BY HANDWASHING SINK (WEST AREA OF THE COUNTER) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED THE ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDER COOKED MEAT (CARNE ASADA) WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDERS TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE NOTICE AND REMINDER STATEMENT.ALSO ADD ON "COOK TO ORDER" BY CARNE ASADA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE

SERIOUSSanitation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AT DISH ROOM AND BAR AREA.MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP

CRITICALFood Temperature
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

NO HOT WATER PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,PRESENT TEMPERATURE OF 73.5F.HOT WATER MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 100F TO 12OF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ISSUE PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION:7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

NO OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED ON SITE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(B),NO CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NO VENTILATION PROVIDED IN ALL THREE WASHROOMS,MUST PROVIDE

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

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 LINCOLN PARK