El Quetzal
Last inspected: Jul 18, 2024
64
Score
Public records show seven inspections at El Quetzal stretching back to 2020. The most recent report on file is from Jul 18, 2024. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about seven violations before that.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
El Quetzal's latest score of 64 falls below the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 18, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (CHICKEN WITH MOLE,TAMALES,SALSAS ETC) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT,TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
23
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR HANDSINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
64
Sep 29, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 21, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOLER WITH INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COOLERS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
33
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS STORED AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47-52 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOOD IS STORED AT 41 F AND BELOW. 1 MANAGER DISCARDED ( 20 POUNDS TAMALES, 2 POUNDS BEEF, 1 GALLON HOMEMADE SOUP STOCK, 1/4 POUND SHRIMP, 8 POUNDS COOKED VEGETABLES INCLUDING CORN AND POTATOES, AND 1/4 GALLON MILK ($600). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
22
74
Sep 16, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND TCS FOODS NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE DURING STORAGE INSIDE PREP COOLER (AIR TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F) NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF PORK AT 56.2F, BEANS AND PORK AT 51.7F, BEANS AND CHEESE AT 54.6F, BEEF AT 46.8F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135F. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL WEIGHT 25 LBS, TOTAL VALUE $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
22
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS INSIDE BOILER ROOM.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED UNFINISHED DOOR FRAME IN REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND PAINT.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER IN CHARGE WITHOUT APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR ETC).
37
58
Aug 31, 2021
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
55
90
Aug 23, 2021
Routine
5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN AND SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B).
61
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MUST INCLUDED THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE FOOD OR THE STATEMENT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED" WITH THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
25
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (SALSA) REFRIGERATED MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT A DATE MARK TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS WITH A DATE NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS WITH THE DAY OF PREPARATION COUNTING AS DAY #1. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (BEANS AT 175.2F) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND CUTTING BOARDS INSTEAD OF IN A SANITIZER BUCKET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LARGE ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE IT IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. ALSO OBSERVED A SMALLER ICE SCOOP STORED IN A COOLER CONTAINING ICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE THE ICE SCOOP OUTSIDE OF THE COOLER IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES, THE STOVE AND OUTSIDE OF THE FREEZER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER EQUIPMENT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE DUST AND GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
56
45
Sep 24, 2020
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
39
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Quetzal last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Quetzal on file is from Jul 18, 2024. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Quetzal?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at El Quetzal.
Has El Quetzal's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Quetzal have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Quetzal means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is El Quetzal inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Quetzal is inspected around two times per year on average.
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