Mercadito Chicago
Last inspected: Oct 17, 2011
90
Score
Mercadito Chicago appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2010. The most recent visit was on Oct 17, 2011. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. Mercadito Chicago's record stops at Oct 17, 2011, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about eight violations before that.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Mercadito Chicago is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 17, 2011
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: THE FLOOR BEHIND THE 1ST FLOOR BAR IS IN DISREPAIR AND ALLOWS WATER TO BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FLOORING AND SUB FLOOR NEXT TO THE BAR EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST SEAL THE FLOOR IN THIS AREA, VIOLATION STILL PENDING
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SOUTHBEND OVENS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA WITHOUT VENTILATION. MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION OR MOVE OVENS UNDER VENTILATION HOOD, VIOLATION STILL PENDING
38
90
Oct 4, 2011
Routine
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation. FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. OBSERVED MOLD GROWTH ON INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF THE ICE MACHINE. UNIT TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. MUST TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED. ALSO OBSERVED PORK FAT STORED IN A PLASTIC BUCKET MARKED "POT AND PAN DETERGENT" IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGER DISCARDED THE BUCKET AND THE PORK FAT INSIDE OF IT. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
16
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. OBSERVED THE FRONT AND REAR EXIT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOFED. THERE IS A 1/2" GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS. MUST RODENT PROOF ALL OUTER OPENINGS. ALSO OBSERVED OVER 50 LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND EQUIPMENT AT THE 1ST FLOOR BAR AND BASEMENT BAR AND SMALL PREP AREA NEXT TO BASEMENT BAR. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
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. OBSERVED THE GRANITE COUNTERTOP ABOVE THE BASEMENT SEAFOOD PREP COOLER CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS. MUST REMOVE OR REPLACE. OBSERVED A BROKEN COOLER DOOR IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR. MUST PROVIDE A SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA EXPOSED HANDSINK AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE COVERS FOR ALL ICE BINS BEHIND BOTH BARS.
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. DETAIL CLEAN THE BASEMENT BAR TOP AND EQUIPMENT.
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. OBSERVED FLOOR TILE MISSING UNDER AND ACROSS FROM THE STACKED SOUTHBEND OVENS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. OBSERVED STANDING WATER IN THE UTILITY ROOM BEHIND THE BASEMENT DISHMACHINE. MUST MAINTAIN ALL FLOORS DRY. REGROUT THE FLOOR TILES IN THE BASEMENT DISHWASH AREA. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE BASEMENT BAR AND BETWEEN THE BEER COOLERS. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE BASEMENT BAR AREA. THE FLOOR BEHIND THE 1ST FLOOR BAR IS IN DISREPAIR AND ALLOWS WATER TO BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FLOORING AND SUBFLOOR NEXT TO THE BAR EXPOSED HANDSINK. MUST SEAL THE FLOOR IN THIS AREA.
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. OBSERVED VINYL AND CERAMIC BASEBOARD MISSING FROM THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT PREP AREA AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST INSTALL. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON THE BASEMENT PREP AREA CEILING TILES. MUST SCRAPE AND REPAINT OR REPLACE TILES. OBSERVED AN OPENING IN THE STAINLESS STEEL WALL NEXT TO THE STOVE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR. SEAL ALL WALL OPENINGS BELOW THE BASEMENT DISHMACHINE IN THE DISHWASH AREA. MUST PAINT THE WALL WITH CHIPPED PAINT NEXT TO THE PREP COOLER BEHIND THE 1ST FLOOR BAR. OBSERVED AN OPEN ELECTRICAL OUTLET NEAR THE CORNER OF THE BASEMENT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE AN OUTLET COVER.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. REPLACE THE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA ABOVE THE PREP COOLERS AT THE COOK'S LINE.
36
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. BASEMENT UNISEX BATHROOM REQUIRES A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE. PROVIDE WORKING VENTILATION FANS IN ALL RESTROOMS.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SOUTHBEND OVENS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA WITHOUT VENTILATION. MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION OR MOVE OVENS UNDER VENTILATION HOOD. OBSERVED THE BASEMENT PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING UNDER THE LEFT COMPARTMENT. MUST REPAIR THE LEAK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. MUST ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO THE ELECTRICAL ROOM. STORE ALL ITMES AT LEAST 6" OFF OF THE FLOOR.
41
61
Jul 8, 2010
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. OBSERVED OVER 30 LIVE SMALL FLIES AT DISHWASH AREA, UNDERNEATH STAIRCASE, AND IN WASHROOMS. MUST REMOVE ALL INSECT/PEST ACTIVITY. ADVISED TO CALL PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED. TICKET #H000062255 13.
18
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. OBSEVED PREP COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOOR GASKETS ALSO MUST REPLACE DAMAGED PREP AREA CUTTING BOARDS.
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. OBSERVED ACCUMILATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS, PREP COOLERS CONDENSERS WITH THICK DUST BUILD UP, FOOD ACCUMILATED ON LOWER SIDE OF DISHMACHINE DRAIN BOARD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
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 OUT INTERIOR OF ALL UNCLEAN FLOOR DRAINS.
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. OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON WALLS THROUGHOUT DISHMACHINE ROOM. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL WALLS THROUGH DISHMACHINE ROOM AND ENTIRE LOWER LEVEL, WASHROOMS AND BAR.
35
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. OBSERVED DISHWASH AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK PIPE LEAKING AND DISHMACHINE PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING.
38
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mercadito Chicago last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mercadito Chicago on file is from Oct 17, 2011. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mercadito Chicago?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mercadito Chicago.
Has Mercadito Chicago's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mercadito Chicago have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mercadito Chicago means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
Nearby Restaurants