Restaurante El Comalito
Last inspected: May 22, 2019
41
Score
Going back to 2013, Restaurante El Comalito has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from May 22, 2019. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record. The file hasn't been updated since May 22, 2019, so take the current picture with that in mind.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.
“Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Restaurante El Comalito on the weaker side. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 22, 2019
Complaint
4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME MISSING DATE MRKINGS ON TCS READY TO EAT FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS INSIDE OF COOLERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER OF THE RISK OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS ON MENUS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR SMALL REFRIGERATOR IN PREP AREA.
36
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS INSIDE OF SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON REAR 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM COOLERS AND TABLE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN DINING AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM HOOD AND FILTERS.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN PREP AREA.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS .MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
58
41
Feb 2, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed rice being stored inside a plastic grocery bag. Instructed facility to store all foods in food grade materials only and to maintain.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed cardboard being used on the floor in front of the three compartment sink. Instructed facility to remove and maintain. Observed the floor to have dirt and debris on it throughout under and around equipment. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.
34
90
Jan 13, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON CEILING ABOVE PREP COOLER IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND WALL NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
37
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: THERMOMETER NEEDED INSIDE FRONT PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. STEM THERMOMETER NEEDED TO MONITOR FOOD TEMPERATURES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS, RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
82
Mar 14, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN GROCERY BAGS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS INSIDE A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH LID OR INSIDE AN APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINER.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED SLIGHT CLUTTER ON SHELVING AT THE REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
41
90
Mar 12, 2015
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL AND DATE ALL PREPARED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREMISES USING PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS TO STORE MEATS INSIDE THE REAR CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO USE A FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM VENTILATION NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
82
Sep 12, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 5, 2014
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND 15 POUNDS OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, PORK, AND BEEF) AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47.6F-61.1F. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO KEEP COLD FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW AND HOT FOODS AT 140F OR ABOVE AND MAINTAIN. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED SAID FOOD. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A).
3
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING HANDS IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPT TO HANDLE FOOD CONTACT UTENSILS WITHOUT WASHING HANDS PRIOR AFTER HANDLING RAW CHICKEN. INSTRUCTED FACILITY THAT FOOD HANDLERS MUST WASH HANDS AT EVERY POINT OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION IN THE EXPOSED HANDSINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-010(A).
6
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: FOUND APPROXIMATELY 70 ANTS ALONG THE BACK, WEST WALL NEAR THE 2 DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REMOVE ALL PESTS AND MAINTAIN. RECOMMEND TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL SERVICE. ALSO FOUND AN INCOMPLETE LOG BOOK ON SITE. NO LIST OF BAIT STATIONS OR SITE MAP FOUND, NO COMPANY LICENSE NUMBER ON REPORT OR COPY PROVIDED. FACILITY PROVIDED 2 REPORTS (11-18-13 & 1-20-14). INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO OBTAIN A LOG BOOK AND MAINTAIN IT. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020.
18
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED ON SITE. PROVIDED ADVISORY TO POST. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. FOUND FOOD ITEMS IN PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO STORE FOOD ONLY IN FOOD GRADE MATERIALS AND/OR CONTAINERS AND TO MAINTAIN.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO STORE ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS INVERTED AND MAINTAIN.
31
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS AND TO MAINTAIN.
42
74
Nov 21, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 14, 2013
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE WITH UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL REPORTS, AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THATS NEEDED INSIDE LOG BOOK, BUSINESS LICENSE, CHEMICALS USED, MAP, ETC., AND REAR DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, MUST SEAL,
18
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS ON SITE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,
19
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF CITY OF CHICAGO CERT., PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OR ACTUAL CERT., MUST BE PROVIDE AT TIME OF INSPECTION,
21
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Restaurante El Comalito last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Restaurante El Comalito on file is from May 22, 2019. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Restaurante El Comalito?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Restaurante El Comalito.
Has Restaurante El Comalito's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Restaurante El Comalito have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Restaurante El Comalito means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
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