El Garcia Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2023
95
Score
Inspectors have visited El Garcia Restaurant seven times, with records going back to 2017. The most recent visit was on Jan 13, 2023. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. The file hasn't been updated since Jan 13, 2023, so take the current picture with that in mind.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALLS AND CEILING UNSANITIARY IN BASEMENT MOP ROOM AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOM WITH BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. REMOVE ALL MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE AND MAINTAIN WALLS IN A CLEAN AND SANITARY CONDITION.
55
95
May 4, 2021
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED.(RICE,BEANS,ETC.)MUST LABEL.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND HAND SINK AT BASEMENT NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
49
86
Mar 20, 2020
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOOD SUCH AS TACOS, BURRITOS, GRILLED FISH, CHICKEN ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 2:40PM.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: MISSING CLEANING SUPPLIES KIT FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE FOR NOROVIRUS, PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN UTENSILS, POTS, PANS AND FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED UPSIDE/DOWN INVERTED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION AND DUST BUILD UP.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE GROCERY BAG BEING USED TO STORED FROZEN FOOD WITH FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAG.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LID/COVER FOR THE WASTE RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM LOCATED IN THE 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT WITH DUST AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: VENTILATION IN BOTH WASHROOMS IN THE FIRST FLOOR NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
64
Jan 29, 2019
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 17, 2019
Complaint
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION WHILE TEMPERATURE SAFETY FOR CONTROL FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (CHICKEN AND BEEF). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN UP KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND NO REMINDER/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS BEING SOLD. (UNDERCOOKED STEAK). MUST DISCLOSE ALL UNDERCOOKED ITEMS ON MENU.ALSO, INCLUDE REMINDER STAEMENT IN MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
25
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECT FROM INSPECTION DATED 10/11/2018, INSPECTION #2229591. VIOLATION #37 ALL BULK SPICE BINS MUST BE LABELED VIOLATION #51 BROKEN URINAL IN THE BASEMENT MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR VIOLATION #54 MUST REMOVE ALL PLASTIC CRATES FROM THE GROUND INSIDE THE GARBAGE CORRAL AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS VIOLATION #55 MISSING FLOOR TILE AT THE DESSERT DISPLAY CASE. MUST REPLACE.----FLOORS DIRTY WITH DEBRIS UNDER THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOOR AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CEILING IN THE BASEMENT MEN'S WASHROOM BLACKENED WITH MOLD. MUST CLEAN/REMOVE MOLD.--- EXCESSIVE DUST ON THE CEILING VENTS ABOVE THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE THEIR PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE BAR DRINK PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOCKERS/STORAGE SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES.----ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE ROOM MUST BE REMOVED. ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED. VIOLATION #57 NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE. VIOLATION #58 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-42-090
60
67
Oct 11, 2018
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Food separated and protected
Inspector notes: 3-302.11 OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING RAW FOODS IMPROPERLY STORED. RAW EGGS BEING STORED ON SHELVING DIRECTLY ABOVE FRESH, RAW CARROTS AND AVOCADOS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. RAW EGGS STORED ABOVE COOKED CHICKEN BROTH INSIDE THE COOKS LINE COOLER. OBSERVED RAW BEEF INSIDE A TALL REACH-IN COOLER STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE UNCOVERED, READY TO EAT BOWLS OF SALSA. MANAGEMENT REMOVED ALL FOODS. REVIEWED PROPER STORAGE OF RAW AND COOKED/READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
15
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17 ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE MARKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 MUST PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR FOODS ON THE MENU PERTAINING TO THE POSTED CONSUMER ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(N) NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.12 NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE BASEMENT PREP HAND WASHING SINK WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WAS PRESENT PREPARING FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-101.11 MISSING FLOOR TILE AT THE DESSERT DISPLAY CASE. MUST REPLACE.----6-201.11 FLOORS DIRTY WITH DEBRIS UNDER THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOOR AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CEILING IN THE BASEMENT MEN'S WASHROOM BLACKENED WITH MOLD. MUST CLEAN/REMOVE MOLD.----6-201.17 EXCESSIVE DUST ON THE CEILING VENTS ABOVE THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----6-501.114 EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE THEIR PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE BAR DRINK PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOCKERS/STORAGE SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES.----ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE ROOM MUST BE REMOVED. ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 BROKEN URINAL IN THE BASEMENT MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR.
51
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 ALL BULK SPICE BINS MUST BE LABELED.
37
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: 5-501.115 MUST REMOVE ALL PLASTIC CRATES FROM THE GROUND INSIDE THE GARBAGE CORRAL AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
54
39
Mar 23, 2017
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NO COVING/BASEBOARD PROVIDED AT EAST WALL OF THE KITCHEN,INCLUDED BEHIND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. REMOVE DEBRIS ON FLOOR AT REAR NON-FOOD STORAGE,ELEVATE ITEMS 6"OFF THE FLOOR FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: SEAL WALL AROUND PIPES UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,AT MAIN KITCHEN.ALSO SEAL WALL AROUND PIPES UNDER THE WASH BOWLS(1ST FLOOR WASHROOMS). MISSING WALL TILES AT MEN'S WASHROOM UNDER THE WASH BOWL,REPLACE. CLEAN WALL TILES BEHIND THE WATER PIPE UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKING PIPE UNDER THE WASHBOWL INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. BROKEN MIDDLE STOPPER FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT BAR AREA.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Garcia Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Garcia Restaurant on file is from Jan 13, 2023. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Garcia Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Garcia Restaurant.
Has El Garcia Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Garcia Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Garcia Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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