El Rincon Norteno
Last inspected: Jul 13, 2017
90
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at El Rincon Norteno, the earliest from 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 13, 2017. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well. Note that El Rincon Norteno's inspection history hasn't been updated since Jul 13, 2017; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean”, showing up six times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so El Rincon Norteno is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 13, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR PREP AREA CUTTING BOARD 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 REAR CEILING NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/REPAINT.
35
90
Feb 5, 2016
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 29, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS NOT POSTED AND VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010B.
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Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #1547382 ON 8/10/15 NOT CORRECTED: 32 - GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTD TO STORE IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/BAGS. 35 - WORN UNFINISHED SURFACE ON WALL IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO FINISH/PAINT SAME. 38 - NO EXPOSED HANDSINK AT BAR AREA. PROVIDE SAME. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE OPENING IN THE WALL AT THE BASEBOARD IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE SINK STOPPER LEVER AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SO THAT THE BASIN CAN HOLD WATER.
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78
Aug 10, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTD TO STORE IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/BAGS. EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP IN FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WORN UNFINISHED SURFACE ON WALL IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO FINISH/PAINT SAME.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO EXPOSED HANDSINK AT BAR AREA. PROVIDE SAME. GASKETS OF STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING. REPAIR SAME.
38
86
Jun 26, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
33
95
May 10, 2013
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL COOKED FOOD PRODUCTS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER IN REAR OF PREMISES
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE STOPPERS AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT BAR AREA AND REMOVE RUST FROM GREASE TRAP IN REAR AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ALSO MUST REMOVE CHIP PAINT FROM EXTERIOR DOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER MUST USE A NON TOXIC PAINT AND REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVES AT WALK-IN COOLER
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN BOTTOM COMPARTMENT OF DEEP FRYER HAS GREASE BUILD-UP INSIDE COMPARTMENT AND MUST DEFROST REACH-IN FREEZER IN REAR PREP AREA HAS HEAVY ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SOME FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA ARE CRACKED MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: SOME AMOUNT OF WATER LEAKS AT HOT WATER HANDLE MUST REPAIR AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER FROM UNDERNEATH PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
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74
Nov 26, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE FOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALKIN COOLER ARE STARTING TO RUST. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST AND PAINT THEM WITH NON TOXIC PAINT.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SOME MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THEM.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE EAST FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS DRIPPING HOT WATER INTO THE SINK WHEN THE WATER IS TURNED OFF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAUCET.
38
86
Nov 1, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN ALL SHELVES IN WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE BUILD UP OF RUST. MUST CLEAN AND OR REPLACE.
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. MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN WALK IN WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS. SIDE DOORWAY IN NEED OF ADJUSTMENT. MUST CORRECT.
34
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. FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN NEED OF REPAIR, LEAKS. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUETE STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. FAUCET IN MENS ROOM LEAKING MUST CORRECT.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: All employees must wear garments that are clean and of washable character and nature. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR PROPER ATTIRE WHILE IN THE PREP AREA. IE..SHIRTS/BLOUSES WITH SLEEVES. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
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82
Aug 4, 2010
Routine
10 minor violations.
View 10 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 WHILE FOOD IS BEING HANDLED ,PREPARED & SERVED AT THIS TIME.MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
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.MUST LABLE & DATE COOKED FOODS IN COOLERS.
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.MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS.
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.MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM SURFACES & CARD BOARD FROM SHELVES IN WALK IN COOLER.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN CUTTING BOARD,TORN BAR STOOL SEATS.
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.MUST CLEAN GRILL TABLE,FAN GUARDS IN WALK IN COOLER,INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.
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.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING & DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST SEAL HOLE IN FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA STORAGE CLOSET.
34
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.MUST SEAL HOLE IN WALL OVER MIRROR IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM,WALL BASES IN DINING AREA.MUST REPAIR WALL IN EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM & CEILING.MUST CLEAN WALL IN PREP AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR SWEEP ON FRONT ENTRY DOOR.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIED OVER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR AREA.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 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.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA HAS A LEAKY PIPE & LEAKY PIPE AT WATER METER.MUST CAULK HAND SINK IN EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM.
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.PROBE & REFRIGERATOR THERMOMETERS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Rincon Norteno last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Rincon Norteno on file is from Jul 13, 2017. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Rincon Norteno?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at El Rincon Norteno.
Has El Rincon Norteno's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Rincon Norteno have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Rincon Norteno 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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