La Vaca Margarita Bar #2
Last inspected: Aug 2, 2022
86
Score
Inspectors have visited La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 five times, with records going back to 2020. The most recent visit was on Aug 2, 2022. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings. Public records show no inspections at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 since Aug 2, 2022, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “adequate ventilation & lighting” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 on the better side of that line. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 2, 2022
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.14: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN A SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
41
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12: NOT ABLE TO CHECK BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT; UNIT IS SURROUNDED WITH CLUTTER FROM CONTAINERS, BROOMS, SHELVES, POTS ETC. INSTALL THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IF IT IS NOT ALREADY. REMOVE ITEMS. BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES MUST BE EASY TO LOCATE, SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11: MISSING AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP.DISHROOM AND BASEMENT.REPLACE
56
86
Jul 15, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 9-1-2020, REPORT #2386666. #47) 4-101.19: STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP OF THE LID OF THE GREASE TRAP IN THE DISH ROOM. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE #55)6-201.11: RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER, NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT ON BASEMENT FLOOR, INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT. MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR. REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN BASEMENT, PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE #58) 2-102.12: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
60
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: 10 POUNDS OF COOKED RICE STORED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER AT TEMP OF 45.6F TO 46.7F AND 48F; 5 POUNDS GRILLED SLICED PORK AT TEMP OF 45.5F TO 46F, GREEN SAUCE AT TEMP OF 47.7F. MENTIONED PRODUCTS WERE STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT. PULLED CHICKEN AT TEMP OF 47.7F; CHIUAHUAH SHREDDED CHEESE AT 46.6F; BEEF WITH SAUCE AT TEMP OF 44.5F TO 45F. FOUR FRESH EGGS AT TEMP OF 58F, GUACAMOLE AT TEMP OF 49.1F, PRODUCTS MENTIONED WERE STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN. COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN A TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 20, VALUE 300
22
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN A SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: MULTI-USE UTENSILS USED FOR CUSTOMERS, STORED ON WHEEL CART IN HALLWAY BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR DINING AREA MUST BE COVERED OR INVERTED, INCLUDING WATER PITCHERS.
43
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOT ABLE TO CHECK BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT; UNIT IS SURROUNDED WITH CLUTTER FROM CONTAINERS, BROOMS, SHELVES, POTS ETC. INSTALL THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IF IT IS NOT ALREADY. REMOVE ITEMS. BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES MUST BE EASY TO LOCATE, SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MISSING AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP.DISHROOM AND BASEMENT.REPLACE
56
70
Sep 2, 2020
Reinspection
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
58
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP
49
67
Sep 1, 2020
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER PROVIDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR AREA.NEED TO REPAIR CAUSE. MINIMUM OF 110F. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-025,NO CITATION ISSUED
48
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AT BAR AREA.MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED
48
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
58
52
Aug 27, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT WATER PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,PRESENT TEMPERATURE OF 73.5F.HOT WATER MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 100F TO 12OF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ISSUE PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION:7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED
50
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AT DISH ROOM AND BAR AREA.MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED
48
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NO OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED ON SITE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(B),NO CITATION ISSUED
54
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDER COOKED MEAT (CARNE ASADA) WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDERS TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE NOTICE AND REMINDER STATEMENT.ALSO ADD ON "COOK TO ORDER" BY CARNE ASADA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NEED TO INSTALL HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND BAR AREA AT EAST SITE OF THE COUNTER,OR RELOCATE TWO ICE BINS BY HANDWASHING SINK (WEST AREA OF THE COUNTER) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: A 1/4" OF GAP AT BASEMENT EXIT DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: STANDING WATER AND RUST ON TOP THE LID OF GREASE TRAP IN DISH ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NEEDS ADDITIONAL CLEANING:GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO LIDS PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND STAFF WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GROUT REMOVED FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA,REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. RUSTY FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER,NOT EASILY CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL. PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT FLOOR ,INSTRUCTED TO RE-PAINT.MISSING FLOOR TILES BETWEEN THE MAIN FRONT DOOR AND SECONDARY DOOR,REPLACE SAID TILES. HOLES ON WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT,PEELING PAINT IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST REPAIR SMOOTHLY. MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT REPLACE
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NO VENTILATION PROVIDED IN ALL THREE WASHROOMS,MUST PROVIDE
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
58
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 on file is from Aug 2, 2022. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2.
Has La Vaca Margarita Bar #2's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Vaca Margarita Bar #2 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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