Taqueria Uptown
Last inspected: Jul 6, 2012
90
Score
Going back to 2010, Taqueria Uptown has five inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 6, 2012. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. Public records show no inspections at Taqueria Uptown since Jul 6, 2012, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Taqueria Uptown is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 6, 2012
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SWEEP FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA,ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED 6" OFF THE FLOOR.HOT WATER TANK IS STORED IN BASEMENT
34
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR THE COOLERS AND FREEZER ALSO STEM THERMOMETER TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD.
40
90
Jun 27, 2012
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.UPON MY REQUEST MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP BY TAKING HALF FROM WOMEN'S WASHROOM, ALSO PAPER TOWELS WAS PROVIDED.INFORMATION GIVEN ON HAND WASHING. CRIITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
12
Previous serious violation corrected, 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM FROM 10-20-11, REPORT #660237 #21-NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER FOUND PRESENT ON PREMISES ,NOR GENUINE CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS RICE,BEANS,BEEF,ETC. WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC,CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES ENROLL IN SANITATION CLASS TO HAVE ONE AVAILABLE ON FACILITY AT ALL TIMES WHEN FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVE.ALSO MANAGEMENT HAVE A PHOTO COPY OF CITY CERTIFICATE THAT SAYS VOID ON IT, WITH THE NAME OF JUAN F. PEREZ WHO IS PRESENTLY NOT AVAILABLE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A GENUINE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON DISPLAY ON FACILITY, AND BE PRESENT TO OVERSEE OPERATIONS. AGAIN TODAY NO CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER ON PREMISES, NOR A VALID CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES. WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ARE PREPARED, SERVED TO CUSTOMERS AND STORED(REFRIED BEANS.BEEF CHICKEN ETC.) MS.MARIANA E GONZALEZ WAS CALLED BY THE MANAGER,UPON MY REQUEST AND REPORTED ON PREMISES AT 3:35PM. NO PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OF SANITATION CLASS AT PRESENT TIME. VIOLATION CORRECTED AT PRESENT TIME. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-42-090
14
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 10-20-11, REPORT #660237 #31-REMOVE CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS HANGING ON STORAGE SHELF AT EXPOSE HAND SINK BARELY TOUCHING THE SINK IN REAR PREP KITCHEN,AND STORE PROPERLY. #32- MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON EXPOSE HAND SINK IN REAR ON THE SIDE OF CLEAN UTENSILS STORAGE SHELF. #35-REPAIR OPENING WATER DAMAGED ON CEILING TILES IN GIRLS RESTROOM. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-42-090
29
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL AND DATED STORED FOOD INSIDE COOLERS AND FREZEERS.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE RUSTY SHELVES INSIDE THE TWO DOOR COOLERS,NORTH WALL.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, MINERAL BUILD-UP
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SWEEP FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA,ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED 6" OFF THE FLOOR.HOT WATER TANK IS STORED IN BASEMENT
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA, ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR THE COOLERS AND FREEZER ALSO STEM THERMOMETER TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD.
40
64
Oct 20, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* 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. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER FOUND PRESENT ON PREMISES ,NOR GENUINE CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS RICE,BEANS,BEEF,ETC. WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC,CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES ENROLL IN SANITATION CLASS TO HAVE ONE AVAILABLE ON FACILIT AT ALL TIMES WHEN FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVE.ALSO MANAGEMENT HAVE A PHOTO COPY OF CITY CERTIFICATE THAT SAYS VOID ON IT, WITH THE NAME OF JUAN F. PEREZ WHO IS PRESENTLY NOT AVAILABLE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A GENUINE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON DISPLAY ON FACILITY, AND BE PRESENT TO OVERSEE OPERATIONS. HEARING FOR TICKET NUMBER H00074314 - 12 WILL BE ON 12-15-11 AT 400 W SUPERIOR AVE. ROOM 112 AT 10:00am.
21
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. INVERT ALL CLEAN UTENSILS (POTS, PANS,PLATES,BOWLS,ETC.) AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES ON SHELVES AND ON COUNTERS THROUGHOUT. REMOVE CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS HANGING ON STORAGE SHELF AT EXPOSE HAND SINK BARELY TOUCHING THE SINK IN REAR PREP KITCHEN,AND STORE PROPERLY.
31
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. MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON EXPOSE HAND SINK IN REAR ON THE SIDE OF CLEAN UTENSILS STORAGE SHELF.
32
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. REPAIR OPENING WATER DAMAGED ON CEILING TILES IN GIRLS RESTROOM.
35
82
Aug 4, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 26, 2010
License
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
* 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. no certified mgr. with city of chicago food sanitation certificate on premises. mgmt. was advised to have a person with the city of chicago food sanitation certificate for license re-inspection.(no citation issued due to license inspection on 7/26/2010).
21
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. non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving that had rust, peeling paint shall be repair.
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. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving, storage shelving, not clean need detailed cleaning.
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. floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment, storage shelving, storage rooms need detailed cleaning.
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. Use dustless cleaning methods. walls that had peeling paint, shall be repair. damaged, stained ceiling tiles in prep area, dining areas, and storage areas shall be replaced/repair.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. light shields in prep area, exhaust canopy, coolers, and bathrooms need cleaning.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. 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. exhaust canopy had excess grease build up needs detailed cleaning. exhaust vents(ventilation) in coolers, prep area, and bathrooms not clean need cleaning.
38
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria Uptown last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria Uptown on file is from Jul 6, 2012. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria Uptown?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria Uptown.
Has Taqueria Uptown's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria Uptown have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria Uptown 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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