Tierra Mexicana
Last inspected: Aug 15, 2019
30
Score
Tierra Mexicana has been inspected three times since 2017. The most recent visit was on Aug 15, 2019. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record. Tierra Mexicana's record stops at Aug 15, 2019, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 15 violations each, up from closer to six violations before.
Across the inspection history, “thermometers provided & accurate” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Tierra Mexicana's latest score of 30 falls below the Chicago average of 81. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
7
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 15, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE.FOUND INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF ONE FOOD PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE AT 58.1 F. NO (TCS FOODS) STORED INSIDE COOLER AT THIS TIME.THE COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION MUST NOT USE.ONCE COOLER IS REPAIRED YOU CAN FAX A LETTER TO 312-746-4240 OR E-MAIL: CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG TO REQUEST A TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. - COS.
33
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
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
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
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
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL HAND WASHING SINK IS NEEDED AT SIDE COFFEE PREPARATION AREA MUST BE LOCATED TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY FOOD EMPLOYEES IN MENTIONED AREA. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL HAND WASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C),NO CITATION ISSUED. -
10
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: FOUND READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (PASTAS,SALSAS,POTATOES ETC) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. - - -
23
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED/SERVED TO CUSTOMERS AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED. -
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FOUND BROKEN SINK STOPPERS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN 3 ADEQUATE WORKING SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND SMALL WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE HAND SINK REAR FOOD PREP AREA.MUST REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND TO MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AT REAR STORAGE CLOSET AND HOT WATER TANK CLOSET DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND TO MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND MISSING LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT FIXTURE AT REAR PREP AREA.MUST INSTALL OR PROVIDE SHATTER-PROOF LIGHT BULBS AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS AT FRONT PREP AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY FOR CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENCE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
30
Jan 10, 2018
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SEAL OR PAINT THE RAW WOOD OF THE DOOR OF THE FRONT PREP AREA ENTRANCE DOOR.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE FREEZER. MUST USED FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES ON WALLS ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AND MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE LIGHT BULB AND PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKY DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.---------MUST PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA.----------MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED ON TOP OF WALK-IN COOLER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE IN REAR PREP AREA.---------ALL CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS, BROOMS ETC) MUST BE STORED OFF THE FLOOR.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER (S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. INFORMATION GIVEN.
45
67
Nov 17, 2017
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO FINISH INSTALLING THE SNEEZE GUARD IN THE FRONT SERVING/PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. SEAL OR PAINT THE RAW WOOD OF THE DOOR OF THE FRONT PREP AREA ENTRANCE DOOR.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AND MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE LIGHT BULB AND PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE PLUMBER'S PUTTY ON THE RIM OF DRAIN INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. REPLACE WITH FOOD GRADE SILICON.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tierra Mexicana last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tierra Mexicana on file is from Aug 15, 2019. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tierra Mexicana?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tierra Mexicana.
Has Tierra Mexicana's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tierra Mexicana have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tierra Mexicana 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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