Tamarindo Loco
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2023
70
Score
Tamarindo Loco appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2017. The most recent report on file is from Mar 10, 2023. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. Note that Tamarindo Loco's inspection history hasn't been updated since Mar 10, 2023; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
Looking across the full record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE CUT MELON AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. OBSERVED MILK AT 45.3F, YOGURT AT 44F, CUT MELON AT 45F, AND SOUR CREAM AT 46F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.
56
70
May 11, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINTERS OF FOODS (GRANOLA, SUGAR) WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS THAT ARE NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
37
95
Sep 25, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE BUT IN-COMPLETE CLEAN-UP ITEMS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER THAT KILLS NOROVIRUS).PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. -
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BROKEN SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR PREP TABLE AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND MAINTAIN.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND INVERT AND MAINTAIN SINGLE SERVICE SPOONS AND FORKS FRONT PREP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE(HANDLES-UP).
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF RUSTS ON EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP BOX UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND TO MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS AND SUPPLIES IN STORAGE AREA AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
55
64
Aug 10, 2018
Reinspection
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (a) NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION PA 100-0367 NO CITATION ISSUED.
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RAISED SHELVES FOR STORAGE FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING. NO MILK CRATES.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS, BROOMS ETC) MUST BE STORED OFF THE FLOOR.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE WASHROOM.
56
64
Aug 8, 2018
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: FOUND WASTE WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT WHEN THE WATER IS RELEASED FROM FIRST COMPARTMENT, WATER BACKS UP INTO MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WATER SLOWLY DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO FIX. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED ISSUED 2 DAY NOTICE
52
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (a) NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION PA 100-0367 NO CITATION ISSUED.
58
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE AND ACCURATE INSIDE ALL COOLERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
36
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS, BROOMS ETC) MUST BE STORED OFF THE FLOOR.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE WASHROOM.
56
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RAISED SHELVES FOR STORAGE FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING. NO MILK CRATES.
47
50
Oct 24, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: PROVIDE LABEL,NAME OF THE PRODUCT,NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE COMPANY, INGREDIENTS ON ALL CHIPS PACKAGED FOR SALE.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN UTENSILS FOOD CONTAINERS, TRAYS, MUST BE STORED UPSIDE DOWN/INVERTED TO PREVENT DUST BUILD-UP AND POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: DEFROST CHEST FREEZER WITH HEAVY ICE ACCUMULATED AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: WASH CLOTH FOR WIPING THE PREP TABLES MUST BE STORED ON A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
82
Mar 31, 2017
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tamarindo Loco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tamarindo Loco on file is from Mar 10, 2023. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tamarindo Loco?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tamarindo Loco.
Has Tamarindo Loco's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tamarindo Loco have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tamarindo Loco 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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