Taqueria La Cantera
Last inspected: May 6, 2016
95
Score
Going back to 2014, Taqueria La Cantera has seven inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on May 6, 2016. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for Taqueria La Cantera dates to May 6, 2016.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
Across the inspection history, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Taqueria La Cantera is comfortably above that bar. The record reflects steady performance over time.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 6, 2016
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELDS ARE NEEDED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BULB AND CEILING FIXTURES.
36
95
Apr 25, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED COOKED RICE AT 45.6F INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER. OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER: EGGS AT 43.6F, BEEF AT 43.4F, SOUR CREAM AT 44F, PORK AT 43.2F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 35# OF FOOD WORTH $200. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASH AND RINSE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT SANITIZING THEM. NO SANITIZER WAS AVAILABLE ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE 100 PPM CHLORINE TO SANITIZE THE DISHES AND UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT WAS PROVIDED TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
22
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1547560 ON 11/4/15 NOT CORRECTED: 37 - TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT SAME. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN A PLASTIC GROCERY BAG. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELDS ARE NEEDED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BULB AND CEILING FIXTURES.
36
74
Nov 4, 2015
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES, STAINS. INSTD TO REMOVE STAINS AND MAINTAIN.
32
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT SAME.
37
90
Sep 24, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE BOX FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SOUTH WALL BY THE HEATER IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
35
90
Dec 2, 2014
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARDS ON EXPOSED HAND SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SPLSHGUARDS ON EXPOSED HANDSINK. OBSERVED CEMENT BLOCKS HOLDING UP LEGS OF 3 COMARTMENT SINK. CEMENT BLOCKS MUST BE PAINTED SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANBLE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER WITH MISSING/BROKEN FLOOR TILES. RESTORE FLOOR TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN IN A SANITARY CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTS WITHIN WASHROOM WITH HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTS.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TILE WALL NEAR WALK IN COOLER IN DISREPAIR. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TILE WALL.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MOP SINK AVAILABLE. MUST INSTALL MOP SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND A BACK FLOW DEVICE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN MOP SINK. OBSERVED ONLY 2/3 SINK STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PURCHASE 3RD STOPPER IN ORDER TO FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AND WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL COOKING ITEMS, DISHES, AND UTENSILS.
38
78
Nov 26, 2014
License
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAUCET FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK DOES NOT REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN FAUCET THAT REACHES ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
24
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARDS ON EXPOSED HAND SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SPLSHGUARDS ON EXPOSED HANDSINK.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEMENT BLOCKS HOLDING UP LEGS OF 3 COMARTMENT SINK. CEMENT BLOCKS MUST BE PAINTED SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANBLE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER WITH MISSING/BROKEN FLOOR TILES. RESTORE FLOOR TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN IN A SANITARY CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTS WITHIN WASHROOM WITH HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTS.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONLY 2/3 SINK STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PURCHASE 3RD STOPPER IN ORDER TO FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS AND WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL COOKING ITEMS, DISHES, AND UTENSILS.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MOP SINK AVAILABLE. MUST INSTALL MOP SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND A BACK FLOW DEVICE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN MOP SINK.
38
70
Sep 11, 2014
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria La Cantera last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria La Cantera on file is from May 6, 2016. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria La Cantera?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Taqueria La Cantera.
Has Taqueria La Cantera's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taqueria La Cantera have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria La Cantera 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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