Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen

4101 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Dec 1, 2011

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen, the earliest from 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 1, 2011. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit. Public records show no inspections at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen since Dec 1, 2011, so this file may not reflect current conditions.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around one violation across recent inspections versus roughly five violations before.

“Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 1, 2011

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: FOR NEXT REGULAR INSPECTION

Nov 23, 2011

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 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. NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK OR RECEIPT FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY,SERIOUS VIOLATION,CITATION ISSUED,INSTRUCTED MUST BE CONTRACTED WITH A PEST CONTROL COMPANY ,LOGBOOK MUST BE PROVIDED,GIVEN 5 DAYS 12-01-11 TO CORRECT VIOLATION

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. DAMAGED SCREEN DOOR AT THE REAR MUST BE REPLACED

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. CHOPPING BOARD NOT CLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, GRILL UNCLEAN MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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. FLOOR ON CORNERS AND BEHIND GRILL UNCLEAN MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; DAMAGED FLOOR TILES ON EXIT DOOR MUST BE REPLACED

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. PEELING LINER ON WALLS MUST BE REPLACED

Apr 14, 2011

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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. MUST READJUST DOOR SWEEP AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR TO PROPERLY SEAL DOOR

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. INTERIOR COOLERS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA UNCLEAN,SHELVES BECOMING RUSTY,MUST CLEAN AND REPLACE SHELVES

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. FLOOR UNDER FRYER UNCLEAN,GREASY,MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. WALLS UNDER HANDSINK,NEAR OVEN UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; CEILING FANS IN REAR PREP AREA AND DINING AREA WITH ACCUMULATED DUST MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN THE COOLER

Oct 25, 2010

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: Food prep table, counter, coolers and exterior between equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: Floor not maintained through-out. Instructed to repair and level floor, seal around baseboard and detail clean through-out.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: Fan covers and ceiling maintained. Instructed to detail clean.

Jan 22, 2010

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector notes: Cooking equipment, shelves, interior coolers and deep fryer, prep tables, cutting boards not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: Floor not cleaned or maintain thru out. Instructed to repair damaged floor tile or replace and detail clean.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: Toilet not flushing proper. Instructed to repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen on file is from Dec 1, 2011. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen?

Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen.

Has Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Birreria & Taqueria El Carmen means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Nunez Fonseca, Llc — Sabor a Jalisco Restaurant

4101 W Belmont Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

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