Chicago
54
YOUR CALL

Salsa Picante

949 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Wicker Park · Restaurant · High risk
YOUR CALL
54/100

Mixed record — 6 of 12 inspections passed

Inspections
12
6 passed
Last Inspected
2023-10-04
Pass Rate
50%
2 failures
Score
54/100
YOUR CALL
5 consecutive passes, most recently 2023-10-04
Failed 2 inspections (2019, 2016)
Documentation & Training issues found across 8 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 2 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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Sanitation serious 23×
📋
Documentation & Training critical
📌
Other serious
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🌡
Food Temperature serious
🐀
Pest Activity critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
2023-10-04 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 8
critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (STEAK, CHICKEN, RICE, BEANS, ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WH...

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FACILITY STORING RAW VEGGIES AND ORANGE PEPPERS INSIDE OF SINGLE USE THANK YOU BAGS IN THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DAMAGED/TORN GASKETS INSIDE THE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED SPILL FOOD DEBRIS ON THE BOTTOM AND IN BETWEEN GASKETS IN REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

SEE VIOLATION #60

minor Documentation & Training

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 05-17-22 INSPECTION #2555916. VIOLATION 58: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOO...

2022-05-17 Pass Canvass
5
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE ACROSS FROM THE GRILLS TO BE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND SPLASH. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED VEGETABLES AND CHICKEN STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING OF WATER AT THE FOOD PREP/ DISH AREA HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PLUMBING.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

2020-09-01 Pass Complaint
1
minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT WASHBOWL SINK LOCATED IN TOILET ROOM LOCATED ON EAST SIDE OF BUILDING CLOSEST TO PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

2020-05-28 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
7
serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS BEING HELD AT THE FOLLOWING IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE PREP COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR OF FACILITY: CHEESE SAUCE HELD AT 65.1F AND SOUP 45.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUN...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED EGGS SERVED POTENTIALLY UNDER COOKED ON MENU IN BREAKFAST SECTION WITHOUT REMINDER, DISCLAIMER, AND FOOTNOTE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL REMINDER, DISCLOSURE, AND FOOTNOTE FOR ALL POTENTIALLY UNDER COOKED ITEMS ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VI...

minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN A PAN ON THE COUNTER OF THE MAIN PREP LINE. MANAGEMENT PUT MEAT UNDER CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING WATER DURING INSPECTION.

minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLER CONTAINING MEAT AND TORTILLAS ON MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A LARGE YELLOW CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA ACROSS FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A TORN GASKET HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE IN PREP COOLER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE ON USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER LOCATED IN REAR ALLEY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2019-09-18 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2019-09-03 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 6
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. SLIME LIKELY TO CONTAMINATE ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USING ...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

SEE VIOLATION #60

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN REAR OF BASEMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

critical Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

SEE VIOLATION #60

minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2252343, 01/10/19. #58 OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING. #51 OBS...

2019-01-10 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 9
critical Documentation & Training

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

THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Documentation & Training

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

serious Other

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED NO DATE MARKETING ON TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FROZEN FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE FRONT CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MUST USE A FOOD GRADE BAGS.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF DEEP FRYER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED ITEMS NOT ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR IN FRONT STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

2017-07-25 Pass Complaint
3
minor Sanitation

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

MUST REMOVE DUST DEBRIS BUILDUP FROM THE FAN VENT COVER IN THE 2-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATION UNIT.

minor Sanitation

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

REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP FROM THE GASKETS OF THE REFRIGERATION UNIT WHERE TORTILLAS ARE STORED AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON THE BOTTOM SHELF OF THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZER SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USE.

2017-04-20 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST THE DEEP FREEZER TO REMOVE HEAVY FROST BUILDUP ON THE INTERIOR WALLS OF ABOVE MENTIONED FREEZER AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILDUP IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT DEEP FRYER AND DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE MICROWAVE TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON THE CUSTOMER BATHROOM CEILING VENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENTS TO PROVIDE PROPER VENTILATION.

2016-06-03 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
2
serious Documentation & Training

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT FROM 5-24-16,REPORT #1931512 NOT POSTED VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. POSTED BY THE LICENSE WAS SINSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT FROM JUNE 2,2015. NEW REPORT GIVEN AND POSTED. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-010(B)

minor Sanitation

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

BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF REACH-IN COOLER

2016-05-24 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES.OBSERVED EMPLOYEES HANDLING NOT FOOD SURFACES FROM WIPING COUNTER, STORE FOOD(RAW AND COOKED)AWAY,MOVING GARBAGE CONTAINERS,WASHING,RINSING AND STORE CLEAN DISHES. MAKING READY TO EAT FOOD(TACOS)WITHOUT HAND WASHING,JUST GLOVI...

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED 30 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS IN THE BASEMENT AREA WERE MOP SINK IS INSTALLED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS,REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENTS,INCLUDED REACH-IN COOLER,STOVE, ETC. SEAL ANY HOLES IF NEEDED AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VI...

minor Sanitation

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

BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF REACH-IN COOLER

2015-06-02 Pass License
1
minor Plumbing & Waste

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

MOP SINK NEEDED MUST INSTALL.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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