Masa Azul
Last inspected: Dec 9, 2019
55
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Masa Azul, the earliest from 2011. On Dec 9, 2019, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical. The file hasn't been updated since Dec 9, 2019, so take the current picture with that in mind.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean”, showing up four times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 9, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TEMPERATURE TAKING OF FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
36
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT STORAGE CLOSET.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR DRAIN IN 1ST FL. DISH MACHINE AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHTS IN DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND SINKS IN PREP /BAR AREAS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE, ENCLOSE OR ENCASE OVERHEAD WASTE PIPES ABOVE LIQUOR STORAGE SHELVES OR REMOVE LIQUOR IN LIQUOR ROOM.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES,OVENS,FRYER CABINET,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE TAPE WRAPPED AROUND PIPES UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN 1ST FL. DISH WASHING AREA.
51
55
Aug 30, 2018
Routine
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SALSAS) STORED MORE THAN 24 HOURS NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IT MUST BE CONSUMED, SOLD OR DISCARDED WITHIN 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-05. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER PROVIDED ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE OF THE FOOD OR FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND REMINDER STATING THAT RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-202.11 NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
67
Oct 30, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 2017
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: Found/observed potentially hazardous foods not meeting temperature requirements of 40F or less, in walk in cooler at time of inspection, list of potentially hazardous foods not meeting temperatures of 40F or less are as follows: Pork 46.4F, salsa at 43.8F, Beef(marinated) 46.8F, beans at 45.8F, mgmt. discarded product at once, 50 lbs. approximate value $200.00 dls( Walk in cooler air temp was at 41.1F, cititation issued 7-38-005(A), critical violation.
3
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: Found observed rear kitchen door not rodent proofed, door had 1/4 inch gap on bottom corner, citation issued 7-38-020, serious violation.
18
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Found some food items not properly dated in walk in cooler, must properly date food items in walk in cooler.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Cutting boards that had deep cuts, in kitchen prep area, shall be replaced. Caulk around 3 compartment sink, dish machine counter, and exposed hand sink in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced. Walk in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced. Kitchen storage shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices), kitchen storage shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Non food contact surfaces of ice machine(exterior) not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floors that had peeling paint in rear kitchen areas, bsmt storage areas and by walk in cooler, shall be repaired/sealed.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Walls that had peeling paint in rear bsmt area, shall be repaired, walls tha had food splattering in kitchen areas, need detailed cleaning.
35
70
Sep 8, 2016
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 9, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT METAL PREP SHELVES WITH RUST BUILD-UP IN BASEMENT PREP AREA.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS AND BROOMS) OFF THE FLOOR.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: INCOMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISE. MUST PROVIDE.
45
86
Mar 28, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Cooler shelving that had peeling paint/rust, shall be reapired/replaced.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices), cooler shelving in reach in cooler not clean, need cleaning.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floors behind cooking equipment, and in bsmt storage room, storage areas not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Door frame in liquor storage room in state of disrepair. had exposed raw wood, shall be repaired/replaced. Wall that had exposed wallboard shall be repaired/sealed.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Exhaust vents(ventilation), not clean, need cleaning.
38
78
May 8, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: The following requires a detail cleaning interior compartment of the deep fryers,fan covers and shelvings inside the walk-in-cooler.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The hood/filters above the cooking equipments require a detail cleaning,remove dusts accumulations on ventilation covers throughout the premises.Also,found water leak at drain pipe beneath the 3 compartment sink dishroom area.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: Must provide,maintain a visible thermometer inside the prep cooler kithen area.
40
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: Food handlers must have hair restraints when working around open food.
42
82
Oct 18, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN OR REPLACE STAINED AND PITTED CUTTING BOARDS IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA, AND INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT AREA
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA UNDER STAIR WELL IN BASEMENT
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND BETTER ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA
41
86
Aug 8, 2011
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 2, 2011
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities.FOUND 2 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER LOCATED AT EAST WALL BY DIPPER WELL AMBIENT AIR MEASURED 44.6F.
2
Sewage and waste water disposal, no back siphonage, cross connection and/or back flow
Inspector notes: In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SECURE/PROVICE LID ON CATCH BASIN LOCATED OUTSIDE BY REAR EXIT DOOR.
10
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSECT/RODENT PROOF REAR EAST SIDE DOOR,REAR WEST EXIT DOOR.
18
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.DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN IN DISHROOM,PROVIDE MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER HOT WATER TANK ROOM.
34
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.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INCREASE LIGHTING INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.
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. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR WATER LEAKING AT PIPE BENEATH 3 COMP SINK IN DISHROOM,INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TO FOUNTAIN DRINK STATION IN KITCHEN.
38
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Masa Azul last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Masa Azul on file is from Dec 9, 2019. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Masa Azul?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Masa Azul.
Has Masa Azul's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Masa Azul have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Masa Azul 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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