MEZQUITE EXPRESS # 2.

Chicago Health Dept

5160 S PULASKI RD · BRIGHTON PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2019.

5 inspections on record since 2017 · Last inspected May 2019.

Last inspected May 2019. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAY 2019

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 16

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

2-102.14(N): Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK, OR IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A SANITARY MEANS TO DRY HANDS AT ALL WASH BOWL AND EXPOSED HAND SINKS. OPERATOR PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS TO ALL WASH BOWL AND EXPOSED HAND SINKS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

2-402.11: Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED CHICKEN STORED IN LARGE PLASTIC (32 GALLON GARBAGE) CONTAINERS TOO LARGE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. INSTRUCTED MUST ELIMINATE PLASTIC CONTAINERS TOO LARGE TO FIT IN EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS; OR REPLACE EXISTING SINKS WITH BASINS LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE ALL UTENSILS; OR PROVIDE AN APPROVED METHOD (AND DEMONSTRATE) TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS (CONTAINERS).

Serious Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED SMALL AMOUNT OF BROWN, MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON CEILING OF LOWER INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND DIRT BUILD UP IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NEAR SERVICE WINDOW IN REAR OF KITCHEN. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED LEAK AT PIPE UNDER RIGHT BASIC OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11: Observed excessive grease, dirt and debris on floors under racks in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler), under bag in the box soda storage rack, and throughout kitchen along walls and under equipment. Must pull all equipment away from walls and must elevate all stock at least 6 inches above the floor.to properly clean. Must maintain same.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-303.11: Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13: Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.

MAR 15

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

2-102.14(N): Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

2-501.1: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide written clean up procedure and equipment for vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

2-402.11: Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-303.11: Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13: Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.

MAR 7

2019

FAIL 9 violations 5 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Observed no person in charge at time of inspection. Instructed must a designated manager/person in charge (and that person must have the Chicago food sanitation manager certification) at all times. Priority foundation violation.

Critical Food Temperature

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Observed no city of Chicago food sanitation manager certification posted in facility. Must post original, valid city of Chicago food sanitation manger certificate in plain view of customers at all times. Observed no Chicago certified food sanitation manager on site while TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods are being prepped (chicken, steak, rice, beans, etc.). Instructed must have a Chicago certified food sanitation manager on site at all times when TCS foods are being prepped/served. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy. Priority foundation violation.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide written clean up procedure and equipment for vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Observed approximately 100 mice droppings scattered on the floors in dry storage room, rear hallway (near soda bag in the box) in dish storage closet (with red wall). Instructed must remove all droppings, clean and sanitize areas. Must eliminate pest issue. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Observed several food handlers without proper hair restraints in all prep areas. Instructed must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc.) for all food handlers while in prep areas.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Observed excessive grease, dirt and debris on floors under racks in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler), under bag in the box soda storage rack, and throughout kitchen along walls and under equipment. Must pull all equipment away from walls and must elevate all stock at least 6 inches above the floor.to properly clean. Must maintain same.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Observed no lighting in dry storage room (used to be a walk in cooler). Instructed must provide adequate lighting for all areas to allow for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.

NOV 29

2017

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FRESH MASA IN COOLER IN A GROCERY BAG, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINER, OR ie. BAGGIE/ZIPLOC.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSRVED THE UPRIGHT FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

OBSERVED THE FLOOR TILES BROKEN IN REAR CHICKEN COOKING ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE MENS ROOM CEILING TILE WATER DAMAGED, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. OBSERVED THE CEILING TILES/ AND LIGHT SHIELDS COVERED WITH SODA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE AND CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD. ALSO REMOVE THE BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND RECAULK.

MAR 15

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE REST ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING (OPEN TO PREP AREA), INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DOOR CHECK OR-SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTOION DEVICE FOR HOSE CONNECTION. USE OF WATER HOSE PROHIBITED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN AIR GAP. (PHOTO OF DEVICE GIVEN).

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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