La Cocina
Last inspected: Jun 24, 2019
55
Score
Public records show 12 inspections at La Cocina stretching back to 2010. The most recent report on file is from Jun 24, 2019. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for La Cocina dates to Jun 24, 2019.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near five violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Premises maintained free of litter” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which La Cocina's 55 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 24, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 PREP AREA BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREP AREA CUTTING BOARD SURFACE DARK AND PITTED ABOVE STEAMTABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARD.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR MOP SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES MISSING OR EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE UPDATED/VALID CERTIFICATES WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
55
Nov 17, 2017
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED AT PREP AREA BY COOKLINE. MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION FAN COVER INSIDE PREP AREA SODA/SAUCE REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FAN COVER AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA ALONG COOKLINE. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULBS (X4) ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS WITH WORKING LIGHT BULBS.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO THEROMETER INSIDE PREP AREA LOW REACH IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED/ITEMS ON BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ITEMS OFF FLOOR.
41
74
Jan 6, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS ALSO OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN BASEMENT FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
34
90
Jan 26, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST ALWAYS USE FOOD GRADE BAGS TO STORE FOOD NOT THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS. FOUND YELLOW RICE INSIDE A PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG AT THE HOT HOLDING UNIT. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS AT ALL TIMES. ALSO MUST ALWAYS PROPERLY DATE AND LABEL PREPARED FOODS AND ALL OTHER FOODS NOT FOUND IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING/CONTAINERS.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST USE PROPER UTENSILS OR SCOOPERS WITH HANDLES TO SERVE FOOD FROM PLASTIC CONTAINERS INSIDE THE 2-SLIDING DOOR REFRIGERATOR ACROSS FROM THE COOKING LINE. FOUND FOAM CUPS/BOWLS INSIDE PREPARED MEAT. MUST PROVIDE.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOODEN TABLE HOLDING THE SMALL ICE MACHINE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EXHAUST HOOD FILTERS AT CEILING IN THE EXHAUST CANOPY. FOUND ABOVE WITH EXCESSIVE GRIME BUILD-UP.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST DECLUTTER AND BETTER ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT AREA. REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM THE BASEMENT.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE FOR THE NEW EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES (FATIMA FELIX AND DANIEL TORRES).
45
74
Sep 23, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETER INSIDE 1-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.
40
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANLDERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH CERTIFICATES OF NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
45
86
Jul 14, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKED PREPARED FOODS STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMP, READING 50-51'F, FOOD SUCH AS RICE, SOY CHICKEN, SOY BEEF, AND SOY CHORIZO, ALL PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $300.00, ABOUT TEN POUNDS TOTAL, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RUSTY WIRE SHELVING INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER, AND RESTRICT USING CARRYOUT BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE,
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER THRU-OUT KITCHEN AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.
41
86
Aug 15, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 8, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: ICE ARE NO PROTECTED DURING STORAGE. ICE MACHINE INTERIOR UPPER PANEL NOT MAINTAINED. TUBE WHERE THE WATER ARE COMING FROM WITH ORANGE /YELLOWISH SUBSTANCE AND ONE PLASTIC TUBE WITH BLACK MOLDY LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. TAGGED THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE AND NOT TO REMOVE THE TAG. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS, 7-38-005(A).
16
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: FOUND THE OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED. WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS ALL OVER THE LID AND AROUND THE RIM OF THE CONTAINER AND SURROUNDING AREA WITH DEBRIS ALL AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE CONTAINER.CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-020.
19
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CRACKED FLOOR TILES THRU-OUT THE COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FAN GUARD OF THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER,WITH GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP.
35
82
Oct 9, 2012
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: PREP FOODS INSIDE STORAGE COOLER AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO DATA/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED, CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED ON STORAGE SHELVES.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RUSTY BOTTOM PANEL OF ONE PREP TABLE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEANED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE; COOLERS, CHEST FREEZER, COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE SHELVES, BOTTOM PANELS OF STEAM TABLE AND PREP TABLES, MICROWAVE OVEN AND MOP SINK.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT PREMISES, INCLUDING BASEMENT, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS. ALSO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3PART SINK.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT, CEILING ATTACHMENTS, REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING PANELS AT DINING AREA AND WASHROOM AND CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS THRU-OUT THE KITCHEN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3PART SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER THRU-OUT KITCHEN AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED, ICE SCOOP AND CLEANING TOWELS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED.
43
64
Jul 20, 2011
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Foods inside coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Drainline under three compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Thermometer not provided iniside cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside cooler.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to elevate supplies 6 inches or higher off floor and away from wall.
41
78
May 5, 2011
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Foods inside coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Drainline under three compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: Thermometer not provided iniside cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside cooler.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to elevate supplies 6 inches or higher off floor and away from wall.
41
78
Jul 1, 2010
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
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.OBSERVED THE FRONT COOLERS NOT CLEAN INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALSO UNDER HOOD NEEDS CLEANING.
33
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Cocina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Cocina on file is from Jun 24, 2019. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Cocina?
Across the inspection record, “premises maintained free of litter” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at La Cocina.
Has La Cocina's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Cocina have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Cocina means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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