Perez Mexican Food
Last inspected: Aug 18, 2017
82
Score
Going back to 2010, Perez Mexican Food has 14 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Aug 18, 2017. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. Perez Mexican Food's record stops at Aug 18, 2017, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been the most frequent reason, cited eight times.
Perez Mexican Food's latest score is in line with the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 18, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS STAINED AND PITTED AT PREP AREA AND RUSTY CHIPPING WIRE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, INSTD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR,
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILE FIRST FLOOR STORAGE AND KITCHEN AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: Any food handler working in the City of Chicago, unless that person has a valid Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate is required to meet the food handler training requirement. If someone working in a facility that is not a food handler on a regular basis, but fills in as a food handler when needed, they too must have food handler training.
45
82
Oct 13, 2016
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS STAINED, PITTED AT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN BOARDS. UPRIGHT FREEZER FOR STORING GLASSWARE WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP. INSTD TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHTS UNABLE TO TURN ON IN MIDDLE OF PREP AREA AND BAR AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN SAME AREA.
36
90
Oct 11, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: NO HANDWASHING FACILTIES FOR PREP AREA LOCATED IN BASEMENT. CONNECTED LARGE MEAT SAW AND MEAT GRINDER IN BASEMENT WALK IN COOLER WITHOUT ADEQUATE HANDWASING FACILITIES. AREA TAGGED AT THIS TIME AND INSTD NOT TO USE AS PREP AREA. INSTD TO COMPLETELY REMOVE BOTH GRINDER AND SAW FROM BASEMENT AREA OR PROVIDE EXPOSED HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN WALK IN COOLER (PREP AREA). CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
11
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS STAINED, PITTED AT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN BOARDS. UPRIGHT FREEZER FOR STORING GLASSWARE WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP. INSTD TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHTS UNABLE TO TURN ON IN MIDDLE OF PREP AREA AND BAR AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN SAME AREA.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAK AT PIPE UNDER 3-COMPARMENT SINK , AT PIPER UNDER UTILITY SINK, AND AT PIPE IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REPAIR ALL LEAKS.
38
82
Jan 28, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT OUT ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. REPLACE SAME.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAK AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET. REPAIR SAME. VENTILATION IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM IN POOR REPAIR. REPAIR SAME.
38
90
Mar 13, 2015
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND 30LB OF COOKED RICE STORED INSIDE A PLASTIC BUS PAN COOKED 3-12-15 IN THE REACH-IN COOLER AT 50F. ALL COOKED FOODS BEING COOLED MUST BE BROKEN DOWN INTO SHALLOW CONTAINERS AND COOLED WITHIN 6 HOURS(140 TO 70 IN 2 HOURS AND 70 TO 40 IN 4 HOURS). PRODUCT VALUED AT $100 VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
3
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL ALL LARGE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS(RICE, BEANS,etc).
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM INSULATED PIPE ATTACHED TO REAR OF 2 DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER IN REAR.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN CABINET INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS OF DEEP FRYERS IN FOOD PREP AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN UP THE DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT. CLEAN FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FOOD PREP AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN AND/OR REPLACE UNCLEAN AND STAINED CEILING TILES IN BAR AREA NEAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN GREASE AND FUZZY BUILD-UP FROM HOOD, FILTERS AND ATTACHED LIGHTING UNDER THE CANOPY. CLEAN AND PAINT INTERIOR DOOR PANELS IN WALK-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT. REMOVE ALL COB WEBS FROM BASEMENT AREA.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING SHIELD ON LIGHT INSIDE 2-DOOR COOLER IN FOOD PREP AREA AND SECURE SHIELD ON LIGHT ABOVE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR VENTILATION IN MEN'S WASHROOM AND LEAKY FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOPS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED IN CLEAN CONTAINERS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
42
64
Nov 24, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS. (MAY NOT STORE FOOD IN OLD SOAP BUCKETS EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN CLEANED)
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT ALL MULTI USE ITEMS. (STORE UPSIDE DOWN)
31
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE LEAKY FAUCET AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR HALLWAY.
38
86
Apr 16, 2014
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SIDE DOOR IN REAR DIRECTLY NEXT TO REACH IN FREEZER OUTSIDE LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM. MUST REMOVE PAPER TOWELS AND PROPERLY SEAL DOOR.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. CLEAN VENT COVERS IN WASHROOMS.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN PREP AREA. ALSO REPLACE BROKEN LIGHT SHIELDS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY HANGERS.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CLUTTER IN CLOSET ADJACENT TO PREP AREA. PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. MUST STORE ALL ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
41
78
Apr 4, 2014
Complaint
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Wash and rinse water: clean and proper temperature
Inspector notes: WASH WATER AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED WATER AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT 82 DEGREES F. MUST PROVIDE WATER AT 110-120 DEGREES F AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR MANUAL DISH WASHING. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
7
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NOTED EVIDENCE OF RODENTS ON SITE. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 75-100 RAT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT LOCATED BETWEEN WALLS NEXT TO EAST STAIR CASE. ALSO NOTED 5 DROPPINGS IN REAR STORAGE AREA BEHIND FREEZER,1 IN BASMENT STORAGE ROOM AND 1 IN REAR HALLWAY UNDER TABLE DIRECTLY OUTSIDE BASEMENT DOOR. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020
18
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL BULK FOOD ITEM CONTAINERS SUCH AS SUGAR AND FLOUR. MUST ALSO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS. MAY NOT USE GROCERY BAGS.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SIDE DOOR IN REAR DIRECTLY NEXT TO REACH IN FREEZER OUTSIDE LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM. MUST REMOVE PAPER TOWELS AND PROPERLY SEAL DOOR. ALSO REPAIR ALL BROKEN COOLER DOOR HANDLES.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF LIGHT SHIELDS AND FAN GUARDS IN KITCHEN AND REMOVE EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD UP. ALSO CLEAN VENT COVERS IN WASHROOMS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL COOLERS,SINKS,PREP TABLES,ALONG WALLS AND IN CORNERS THROUGHOUT ALL PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN PREP AREA. ALSO REPLACE BROKEN LIGHT SHIELDS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY HANGERS.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AND PROVIDE 3 WORKING STOPPERS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CLUTTER IN CLOSET ADJACENT TO PREP AREA. ALSO REMOVE STORAGE CRATES THROUGHOUT AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. MUST STORE ALL ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: PROVIDE A SANITARY CONTAINER TO STORE ALL ICE DISPENSING UTENSILS.
43
61
Sep 17, 2013
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE (CDI). REPLACE WORN RUBBER GASKET AT PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA TO AVOID ESCAPING AIR FROM UNIT.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF FRYER AND STOVE, CLEAN BOTTOM CABINET OF FRYER TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REMOVE DUST OBSERVED ON VENTILATION FAN IN WOMENS WASHROOM.
35
82
Sep 9, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 30 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR OF BASEMENT IN THREE AREAS. ALSO OBSERVED TWO DEAD MICE ON A GLUE BOARD IN FAR REAR CORNER OF BASEMENT NEAR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD MICE AND CLEAN AREAS WHERE RAT DROPPINGS OBSERVED. ESTABLISHMENT WAS SERVICED ON 9/6/13 BY C&M PEST MANAGEMENT WHERE TECHNICIAN INDICATED NO ACTIVITY FOUND ON HIS REPORT; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE COMPANY SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT PRIOR TO REINSPECTION TO DETERMINE SOURCE OF ENTRY.
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE (CDI). REPLACE WORN RUBBER GASKET AT PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA TO AVOID ESCAPING AIR FROM UNIT.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF FRYER AND STOVE, CLEAN BOTTOM CABINET OF FRYER TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT WHERE DROPPINGS AND MICE OBSERVED. CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REMOVE DUST OBSERVED ON VENTILATION FAN IN WOMENS WASHROOM.
35
78
Aug 15, 2012
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF FRYERS TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE BUILD-UP, AND COOLERS AT BOTTOM SHELVES AND AT DOOR TRACKS TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST ALSO CLEAN INTERIOR LID OF ICE MACHINE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER GRILL AREA IN THE KITCHEN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY 2COMP SINK AT REAR AREA, AND TIGHTEN FAUCET BASE AT 3COMP SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPER IN AN ICE RECEPTACLE AT ALL TIMES.MUST PROPERLY STORE WASH CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION AT ALL TIMES.
43
82
Nov 15, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: Adequate and convenient hand washing facilities shall be provided for all employees. The restaurant has moved its meat cutting and grinding operation into the basement where there is no sink for the food handlers to wash there hands. The basement meat preparation area is tagged held for inspection and cannot be used to prepare food until said area meets minimum requirements. Fax a tag removal request to 312-746-4240 when you are ready.
12
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. The floor under the three compartment sink is dirty, clean the floor from corner to corner.
34
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. Shield the exposed glass bulbs above the kitchen sink area.
36
86
Oct 25, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 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. There are 40 rat droppings in the west basement under the power washer and next to a dead rat caught in a glue board in the east basement. Seal up all possible rodent entry points including the floor drains and clean up all evidence of rodent activity.
18
* 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. The certified manager was not present at the time of inspection, during food preparation. Mr.Perez arrived 1 hour after the inspection began.
21
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. The following violations were documented on report # 157573 dated May 13, 2009 include: (34) The kitchen floors and baseboards are full of grease and food buildup under and behind equipment and tables. Clean and maintain the floors and baseboards so they are smooth and sanitary from corner to corner. (36) Replace the missing light sheild above the butcher table in the walk-in cooler.
29
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Remove the sharpening steel from the dirty hole in the brickwork in the kitchen and reseal the brick so it is smooth and sanitary.
31
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. Wash, rinse and sanitize the floors and baseboards so they are smooth and sanitary from corner to corner.
34
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.
42
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Perez Mexican Food last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Perez Mexican Food on file is from Aug 18, 2017. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Perez Mexican Food?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Perez Mexican Food.
Has Perez Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Perez Mexican Food have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Perez Mexican Food 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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