MERCADITO CHICAGO.

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

ADDITIONAL WATER PRESURE NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION ARE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUT PROVIVE AND MAINTAIN.

OBSERCED BROKEN LIGT SHIELD COVER ABOVE DISH WASHING MACHINE. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR COFFEE STATION. MUST PROVDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT#2559719 ON 6/22/2022. VIOLATION#58 OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN BAR AND SERVER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

OBSERVED BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME.

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE CHEST IN REAR SERVER STATION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE OUTSIDE OF ICE.

OBSERVED 1 BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN HOOD ABOVE COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

OBSERVED HAND WASH SINK IN BAR RENDERED INACCESSIBLE DUE TO BOTTLES BEING STORED IN IT. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY REMOVED BOTTLES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS FREE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED AT BAR MAINTAINING IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZATION CONCENTRATION OF 100PPM CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING CHLORINE AT 50-100PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED.

OBSERVED 2 CUTTING BOARDS IN DOWNSTAIRS KITCHEN PREP AREA COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON THE INTERIOR OF A PREP COOLER LOCATED IN TORTILLA MAKING AREA OF DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

OBSERVED SEVERAL MISSING CEILING PANELS IN CEILING OF DOWNSTAIRS PREP KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

OBSERVED AN UNPROTECTED LIGHT BULB ABOVE DISH PIT LOCATED IN DOWNSTAIRS DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO COVER AND MAINTAIN.

BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED (SUGAR ) INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF DUSTY ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A CLEAN HOLDER.

WALK-IN COOLER FAN COVER NOT CLEAN, DUST BUILD_UP NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN

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.

NO CONSUMER ADVISORY NO DISCLAIMER FOR UNDER COOKED FOOD "CEVICHE" INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON MENU. NO CITATION ISSUED

UTENSILS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY

CHIPPED WALL BEHIND CLEAN UTENSILS RACK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DURABLE SURFACE

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

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

OBSERVED OIL ACCUMULATING IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE COOK LINE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLOSEST TO WALL UNCLEAN WITH DIRT ON INTERIOR WHERE ICE IS MADE. CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN DETAIL.

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.

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.

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)

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)

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

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

OBSERVED SPLASH GUARDS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND MAIN BAR NEAR CEVICHE STATION.

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF KEG COOLER BEHIND MAIN BAR UNCLEAN. CLEAN INTERIOR OF KEG COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

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.

OBSERVED CEILING TILE MISSING IN JUICING FOOD PREP AREA IN BASEMENT. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN

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.

OBSERVED SOME REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS NOT TIGHT FITTED. MUST HAVE REATTACH/MAKE TIGHT FIT ALL COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

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.

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.

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/DUST ON CEILING TILES AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN ALL CEILING TILES/CEILING VENT COVERS.

NO EXPOSED HAND WASH BOWL AT BASEMENT BAR. MUST PROVIDE EXPOSED HAND WASH BOWL WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER AT BASEMENT BAR.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

NOTED STAINED CEILING AND OPENINGS ON CEILING AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA OF THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.

NOTED SLOW DRAIN AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE BASEMENT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

LARGE WHITE POWDER SPICE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

WALL NEXT TO PREP COOLER AT FIRST FLOOR BAR IN POOR REPAIR, DAMAGED DRY WALL, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE THATS EASILY CLEANABLE.

MISSING BASEBOARD AT PREP AREA WALLS, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL

MISSING LABLES ON BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

NO DRAIN BOARD FOR 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

MISSING GROUT AT KITCHEN FLOOR TILES UNDER 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO GROUT AND MAINTIAN.