El Asador Express
Last inspected: Jul 25, 2024
78
Score
Going back to 2015, El Asador Express has 14 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 25, 2024. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.
“City of chicago food service sanitation certificate” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 25, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES AS WELL AS CERTIFIED MANAGER WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED(BEEF, STEAK). PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH SANITATION MANAGER TRAINING.
1
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE LAYING ON ITS SIDE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE SCOOP IN SANITARY CONTAINER.
43
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DIRECT FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
57
78
Aug 17, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RICE, BEANS, AND FLOUR FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED ON THE SHELVES IN THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH THE COMMON NAME OF FOOD ITEM.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY STORING FOOD ITEMS INSIDE OF SINGLE USE GROCERY BAGS IN THE REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD AT THE PREP TABLE WITH OPEN SEAMS AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE END OF COOKLINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
82
Dec 19, 2022
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK CONTAINERS OF FOOD NOT LABELED (BEANS ETC). INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD WHEN ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS, MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND SOILED WIPING CLOTH ON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZER SOLUTION, MAINTAIN.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: FOUND PLASTIC BOWLS USED AS SCOOPS STORED INSIDE CONTAINER OF COOKED RICE, AND CONTAINER OF SALSA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY, MAINTAIN.
43
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER TRAINING MISSING FOR TWO EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
57
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDED THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS, MAINTAIN.
36
78
Dec 12, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER NOTED ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED CARNE ASADA. MUST PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR EACH ITEM IT APPLIES TO ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDED THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS, MAINTAIN.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK CONTAINERS OF FOOD NOT LABELED (BEANS ETC). INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD WHEN ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS, MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND SOILED WIPING CLOTH ON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZER SOLUTION, MAINTAIN.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: FOUND PLASTIC BOWLS USED AS SCOOPS STORED INSIDE CONTAINER OF COOKED RICE, AND CONTAINER OF SALSA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY, MAINTAIN.
43
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER TRAINING MISSING FOR TWO EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
57
70
Mar 12, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 3/22/2019 REPORT 2279879 NOT CORRECTED: 58 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
60
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PLASTIC LINING ON BOTTOM SHELVES OF PREP TABLES. INSTD TO REMOVE SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE 60
58
82
Mar 22, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, WITH CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINED IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS ON PREPPED TCS FOODS IN COOLERS. MUST LABEL ALL PREPPED TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD DATE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONSUMER ADVISORY NOT CORRECTLY NOTED ON MENUS. MUST PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, AND REMINDERS (*) NEXT TO EACH ITEM ON MENU IT APPLIES TO ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER TO ACCURATELY MEASURE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy for all employees. Priority foundation violation.
3
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.
58
58
Mar 22, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: DRY STORAGE BINS NOT LABELED. INSTD TO PROPERLY LABEL.
30
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: IMPROPER UTENSILS (BOWLS) BEING USED FOR DRY STORAGE. INSTD TO USE PROPER DISPENSING UTENSILS WITH HANDLES.
42
90
Jul 24, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR SLICER NOT CLEAN,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HOOD AND FILTERS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. ALSO REMOVE FOOD SPLASHES FROM CEILING, AND CLEAN KITCHEN LIGHT SHIELD.
35
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE ON THE FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
86
Aug 23, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 1 DOOR PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE GRILL WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS MEAT AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED COOKED RICE AT 52.1F, HOT SAUCE AT 44.6F, SALSA AT 44.1F, SOUR CREAM AT 47.1F, CHEESE AT 52.3F, CHICKEN AT 45.1F, BEEF AT 50.2F, PORK AT 49.2, CHORIZO AT 50.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 20# OF FOOD WORTH $100. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE THE PARTICLEBOARD SHELVING ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND REPLACE WITH A MATERIAL WHICH IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. REMOVE THE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM THE BOTTOM SHELF OF THE PREP TABLE. OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
86
Nov 13, 2015
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: KNIFE IMPROPERLY STORED INBETWEEN PREP COOLER AND STEAM TABLE. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PLASTIC LINING ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE. INSTD TO REMOVE SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.
32
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANLDER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AS REQUIRED.
45
82
Oct 29, 2015
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jul 24, 2015
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: GROCERY BEING USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: FOAM USED IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLBASE. INSTD TO REMOVE AND REPAIR SO AS TO BE A SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
35
90
May 21, 2015
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: FOAM USED IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLBASE. INSTD TO REMOVE AND REPAIR SO AS TO BE A SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
35
95
May 13, 2015
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS NOT ON. INSTD TO HAVE ON AND MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURES.
2
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK OR PROOF OF SERVICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
18
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: NO METAL DUMPSTER/GARBAGE DISPOSAL ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
19
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE.
21
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Asador Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Asador Express on file is from Jul 25, 2024. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Asador Express?
Across the inspection record, “city of chicago food service sanitation certificate” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Asador Express.
Has El Asador Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Asador Express have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Asador Express means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is El Asador Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Asador Express is inspected around two times per year on average.
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