Alicia's Tamales
Last inspected: Oct 31, 2014
55
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Alicia's Tamales, the earliest from 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 31, 2014. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. Note that Alicia's Tamales's inspection history hasn't been updated since Oct 31, 2014; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to four violations before.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
12
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 31, 2014
Routine
12 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONLY EXPOSED HANDSINK IN REAR KITCHEN BLOCKED AND INACCESSIBLE WITH PILED UP BUCKETS IN FRONT OF SINK AND BAGS OF FLOUR WITHIN SINK. MANAGEMENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUCKETS AND FLOUR AND KEEP SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
11
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD INCLUDING CHICKEN BEEF IS COOKED, COOLED, FROZEN AND REHEATED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE ACCUMULATION ON IONTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZERS. DEFROST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL REACH IN FREEZERS. REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD LINER FROM WITHIN REACH IN FREEZERS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZERS UNCLEAN WITH FOOD SPILLS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL INTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZERS.
33
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRYER STORED UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND SANITIZE FRYER BEFORE STORING. KEEP FRYER CLEAN WHEN NOT IN USE.
33
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SORAGE SHELVES AND SHELVES USED FOR DISHES UNCLEAN WITH DUST AND GREASE ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SHELVES USED FOR FOOD AND DISHES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD COCKROACHES IN BASEMENT FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN KITCHEN CLOSET AREA ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND SANITIZE ALL FLOORS WHERE DEAD ROACHES ARE FOUND.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALLS IN BASEMENT UNCLEAN WITH COBWEBS AND DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL WALLS IN BASEMENT.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT SHEILDS ABOVE COOKING AREA IN FRONT UNCLEAN WITH GREASE ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN LIGHT SHEILDS.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALL OUTLET ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR KITCHEN IN DISREPAIR. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN OUTLET.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRY STORAGE ROOM WITH EXCESS CLUTTER. ALL FOOD NEEDS TO BE STORED AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND WALLS BEHIND PRODUCT.
41
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ORGANIZATION NEEDED IN AREA BEHIND REGISTER. CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO DETER ALL INSECT AND RODENT HARBORAGE.
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55
Mar 5, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE UNCLEAN WITH FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR TILES BEHIND MAIN COOKING AREA IN DISREPAIR. REPAIR OR REPLACE FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD COCKROACHES ON FLOOR OF BASEMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN CORNERS OF ROOM. REMOVE ALL DEAD COCKROACHES AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BASEMENT FLOOR DRAIN CLOGGED WITH STANDING WATER AND FLOOR DRAIN COVER MISSING. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAIN IN A WORKING ORDER AND REPLACE COVER.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETERS IN REFRIGERATORS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. ALL REFRIGERATORS NEED INTERNAL THERMOMETERS. A LONG STEM THERMOMETER IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO MONITOR LARGE BATCHES OF BEANS AND SALSA ARE BEING PROPERLY COOLED.
40
78
Jan 25, 2013
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN BOTTOM COMPARTMENT OF DEEP FRYER HAS GREASE ENCRUSTED INSIDE COMPARTMENT, CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH REACH-IN FREEZERS IN REAR PREP AREA AND CLEAN UNUSED CHEST FREEZER IN REAR OF PREMISES ALSO CLEAN FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA
33
95
Jan 18, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: OBERVED WATER COMING FROM GREASE TRAP AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ONTO FLOOR WHEN SINK IS TURNED ON IN REAR PREP AREA/KITCHEN CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
24
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN BOTTOM COMPARTMENT OF DEEP FRYER HAS GREASE ENCRUSTED INSIDE COMPARTMENT, CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH REACH-IN FREEZERS IN REAR PREP AREA AND CLEAN UNUSED CHEST FREEZER IN REAR OF PREMISES ALSO CLEAN FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT AREA ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS ALSO MUST PROVIDE FLOOR DRAIN COVER NEAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAK AT BOTTOM OF HANDSINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REACH-IN FREEZERS IN REAR PREP AREA AND INSIDE CHEST COOLER AT FRONT PREP AREA
40
78
Feb 6, 2012
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 27, 2012
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: 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. FOUND 25-30 MICE DROPPINGS AT SOUTHEAST WALL IN THE REAR VEGETABLE STORE ROOM. SERIOUS VIOLATION GIVEN 7-38-020 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UP THE AREA AND CALL YOUR PEST CONTROL TECH TO COME HERE TO SERVICE THIS ESTABLISHMENT.
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CLEAN THE BOTH HOODS AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE BUILDUP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS HAS GREASE BUILDUP. MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE NEW TILE TO THE FLOOR. CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS HAS DIRT BUILDUP. CEA
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CEILING IN THE REAR PREP AREA IS IN POOR REPAIR HAS PEELING PAINT HANGING DOWN SOUTH WEST CORNER. INSTRUCTCD REMOVE THE PEELING PAINT AND REPAIR CEILING AND AND PAINT IT.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN BOTH PREP AREAS UNDERNEATH THE HOODS ARE THICK WITH GREASE BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THEM.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: 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. REMOVE THE CLUTTER IN THE REAR STORE OLD UNUSED EQUIPMENT ECT SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.
41
74
Feb 10, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP NOT CLEAN. CLEAN AND PAINT. IMPROPER STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS IN REAR NOT CLEAN AND WITH SAME PEELING PAINT. CLEAN AND REMOVE PEELING PAINT.
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
43
86
Mar 23, 2010
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.
21
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.REPLACE DAMAGED SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT PREP AREA.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.REACH IN FREEZER.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Use dustless cleaning methods. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS AND CEILINGS IN REAR PREP AREA AND WALL NEAR TOILET ROOM.MUST SEAL HOLE IN WALL IN TOILET ROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER HOOD.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: 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.IN BASEMENT & DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
41
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Alicia's Tamales last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Alicia's Tamales on file is from Oct 31, 2014. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Alicia's Tamales?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Alicia's Tamales.
Has Alicia's Tamales' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Alicia's Tamales have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Alicia's Tamales means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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