Mariscos El Kora

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

Observed containers of fresh oysters in walk in and wrapped plates of fresh oysters in two door refrigerator with no shellstock tag in containers or on wrapped plates. Instructed shellstock tags or labels shall remain attached to the container in which the shellstock are received until the container is empty. Corrected on site containers and plates of fresh oysters voluntarily denatured and discarded by management, valued at $102 and weighing 15lbs. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005 citation issued

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Observed black moldlike substance on interior upper components of ice machine. Corrected on site interior upper components of ice machine cleaned and sanitized before conclusion of inspection.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed no left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove. Instructed to install left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove to prevent contamination of equipment or food.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed no right splash guard on handwashing sink next to small cold holding unit in front prep area. Instructed to install right splash guard on handwashing sink next to small cold holding unit in front prep area to prevent contamination of equipment or food.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed uncovered containers and trays of food stored in walk in freezer. Instructed to cover or wrap all exposed food in walk in freezer to prevent contamination of food.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Unable to locate backflow prevention device on ice machine. Instructed to install backflow prevention device on ice machine so that it shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Observed leaking drainpipes underneath wash compartments of left and middle three compartment sinks. Instructed to repair leaking drainpipes at said three compartment sinks.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Observed leaking drainpipe underneath sanitizer compartment of middle three compartment sink, observed leaking faucet at right three compartment sink, observed leaking faucet at handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area and observed left knob leaking on faucet of utility sink. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observe ice buildup on condensor line in walk in freezer. Instructed to remove ice buldup from condensor line of walk in freezer and maintain.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed stained ceiling tiles in rear dining area(near washrooms). Instructed to replace all stained ceiling tiles in facility and maintain.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed dimly lit walk in freezer and walk in cooler(in same area as walk in freezer). Instructed to increase light intensity in said walk in freezer and walk in cooler.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed stove with two burners in prep area not installed under ventilation system. Instructed to have all stoves with burners installed completely under ventilation system or remove from premises.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Observed no handwashing signage posted at handwashing sinks in men and women's washrooms. Instructed to post clearly visible signage at all handswashing sinks used by food employees that notifies food employees to wash their hands.

Proper cold holding temperatures

Observed cold tcs foods, held at improper temperatures ranging between 48.0-49.1f. Observed cold tcs foods, shrimp(48.4f), salad containing chopped lettuce(49.1f) and sliced tomatoes(48.0f)held at improper temperature. Instructed all cold tcs food must be held at 41f or below. Corrected on site manager voluntarily discarded and denatured food valued at $115 weighing 15lbs priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued

Compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP

Observed no variance/HACCP plan approval on site for vacuum sealing time and temperature control for safety foods found in walk in freezer. Corrected on site held for inspection tags placed on two containers of vacuum sealed foods in walk in freezer .1 container of octopus and 1 container of salmon, octopus and marlin. Instructed site not to use vacuum seal machine or vacuum sealing materials informed site that to use said machine, a HACCP plan/variance must be obtained by cdph. One vacuum sealing machine and vacuum sealing materials tagged during inspection. Instructed site not to use machine nor vacuum sealing material until HACCP plan/variance is submitted to cdph and approval granted from cdpdh. Instructed site to contact cdph for tag removal of vacuum sealing machine and vacuum sealing materials. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

Variance obtained for specialized processing methods

Observed facility not meeting compliance with variance/specialized process in facility noted reduced oxygen packaging all stored in walk in freezer during time of inspection. Informed person in charge that documentation and procedures must be submitted and approved by cdph before performing such specialized food processes and must be maintained.tagged unit, materials and 75lbs of vacuum packaged food in walk in freezer. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Citation combined with violation #29

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed openings at base of rear exit door and southside front outer entrance door. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed no left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove. Instructed to install left splash guard on handwashing sink next to two burner stove to prevent contamination of equipment or food.

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Observed spoons laying down in uncovered container underneath counter in front prep/beverage station. Instructed to store utensils inverted with handles up or covered during storage.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed rust on shelving units in dry storage. Instructed to remove rust from shelving units,instructed nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material for ease of cleanability. Observed cardboard used to line shelves in rear dry storage area and observed paper towel liner for shelf on cold holding unit near cookline. Instructed to remove cardboard and paper towel shelf liners throughout facility, instructed nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material for ease of cleanability.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Observed leaking drainpipes underneath wash compartments of left and middle three compartment sinks. Instructed to repair leaking drainpipes at said three compartment sinks.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Unable to locate backflow prevention device on ice machine. Instructed to install backflow prevention device on ice machine so that it shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Observed employee all gender employee washroom door to not be self closing. Instructed to install self closing device on all gender employee washroom door so that it shall be tight fitting and self closing.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Observed no covered receptacle in women's washroom. Instructed to provide covered receptacle in women's washroom for sanitary napkins.

Personal cleanliness

Male food handler without restraint on beard. Instd to wear beard restraint and maintain

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Observed build up of white calcium like substance on interior of ice machine. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed loose gasket on single door upright cooler in prep area. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Observed food residue on storage shelves in rear storage hall. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed water damaged ceiling tiles in food prep area. Instructed person in charge to replace and maintain.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed build up of grease residue on filters in ventilation system. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain

In-use utensils: properly stored

Dispensing utensils for rice improperly stored in container of warm water and oil. Instd to store properly (i.e in hot water 135f or above , on a clean portion of the food preparation table only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the food preparation table is cleaned and sanitized at a specified frequency, or in a protected manner)

Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

Single service spoons not inverted during storage. Instd to invert (handle up) or have pre wrapped.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Pipes leaking under both 3-compartment sinks. Instd to repair and maintain free of leaking

Allergen training as required

All allergen training certifications expired. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site

Food properly labeled; original container

Spice containers at cooking line not labeled. Instd to label with common name and maintain same.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Interior top of reach in cooler near cashier in poor repair (taped). Instructed to remove tape and repair, maintain.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Shields missing on lights in prep area. Instd to provide shields and maintain

All food employees have food handler training

Employees missing food handler certificates. Instructed to obtain and maintain verification on site.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Found men's and women's customer restrooms missing handwashing signs. Instructed to obtain and maintain.

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Found pans and dishes in prep area not inverted. Instructed to invert dishes and pots/pans during storage, maintain.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Rusty surface on bottom of prep shelf at grill. Instructed to remove rust and maintain.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Found top of reach in cooler near cashier in poor repair (taped). Instructed to remove tape and repair, maintain.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Found no covered receptacle in staff unisex restroom. Instructed to provide and maintain.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Found loose ceiling vent in staff restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.

All food employees have food handler training

Found employees missing food handler certificates. Instructed to obtain and maintain verification on site.

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

3-402.12b -no written agreement or statement from the supplier stating the fish supplied for ceviche is frozen to required time and temperature. Instd to provide same and maintain.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

4-602.11(b-e): interior panel of ice machine with slight debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-101.19: rusty surface on exterior of grease traps of 3-compartment sink. Instd to remove rust and maintain

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

3-402.12b -no written agreement or statement from the supplier stating the fish supplied for ceviche is frozen to required time and temperature. Instd to provide same and maintain.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Interior panel of ice machine with slight debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain

Proper cold holding temperatures

The following tcs foods at improper temperature in prep cooler: salsa 50.1f, ceviche 50.9f, green salsa 50.1f. Also large deep container of ceviche in walk in cooler at improper temperature of 54.1f (dated yesterday). All product discarded and denatured, approx 30lbs $300 value. Citation issued 7-38-005 priority

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Prep cooler in use at improper temperature of 54.1f. Cooler tagged and held for inspection at this time. Instd to not use until repaired and reinspected by cdph. Citation issued priority 7-38-005

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Improper cooling of ceviche noted. Instd to properly cool: (1) arrange in equipment (shallow pans) to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and (2) loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period to faiclitate heat transfer from the surface of the food

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Rusty surface on exterior of grease traps of 3-compartment sink. Instd to remove rust and maintain

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

Observed no date on the shellfish tag when the last one was sold, instructed to provide date on the oyster tags when the last one from that case was sold. Priority foundation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed the rear kitchen cutting board stained/pitted, next to the freezer, instructed to replace.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed the #10 can opener not clean, instructed to clean and sanitize.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed the front stoves and the flat grill drip tray not clean, instructed to clean.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Observed large pot used for octopus unable to fully submerge in 3 compartment sink, instructed to provide equipment able to fully submerge in 3 compartment sink or have writted procedure for alternative manual warewashing equipment.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Observed the cold water handle at the utility mop sink broken, instructed to replace.(using pliers to turn on)

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed the light shield broken in the kitchen cooking area, instructed to replace the shield.

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Observed no written employee health policy on site. Must provide. Priority foundation violation.

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up procedure or kit on site. Must provide written procedure for the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events, and corresponding equipment. Priority foundation violation.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Observed shrimp peeling machine in room in rear (through rear kitchen door near walk in cooler) without required hand sink. Must install a dedicated, exposed hand sink in this room with adequate city pressure, hot/cold water, soap and sanitary means to dry hands, and hand washing sign. Priority foundation violation.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Observed small amount of pink/brown, slimy, mold like substance on plastic parts of interior of ice machine. Must detail clean and sanitize. Operator cleaned and sanitized during inspection.

Proper date marking and disposition

Observed improper date marking on prepped tcs foods in coolers and walk in cooler. Must label all prepped, tcs foods with discard dates. Must maintain same. Priority foundation violation.

Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

Observed reminders not provided on menu. Must provide disclosure statement and reminders (*) that it pertains to on menu. Priority foundation violation.

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Observed inadequate supply of hot water in facility. Hot water temperatures ranging from 72.3f - 82.9f at hand sinks, 3 compartment sinks, and washbowl sinks in facility. Must provide adequate supply of hot water available at all sinks at all times. Must provide minimum hot water temperature of 100f at hand sinks and washbowl sinks, and 110f at 3 compartment sinks. Operator restored hot water during inspection to 120f at 3 compartment sink and 101f at hand/washbowl sinks. Priority violation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed cardboard used as floor mats. Instructed must remove. Cardboard is not an approved floor covering due to it being porous. All surfaces must be non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable.

Allergen training as required

Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Torn door gasket at upright freezer in prep area. Instd to replace and maintain.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Unclean knife in knife rack. Instd to maintain clean knives in knife rack. Interior of stove not clean, exceesive debris. Instd to clean and maintain.

Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service

Observed container of fresh minced garlic and oil mixture at improper temperature of 50.9f in cooler. Violation critical 7-38-005a. Product voluntarily disposed of and denatured at this time. Approx 5lbs. $10 value.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Consumer advisory not posted. Instd to have posted and visible to all customers.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Underneath handles of coolers with excessive debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Small fryer on site without ventilation. Instd to provide proper ventilation.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

No consumer advisory posted in the restaurant or on the menu. Raw oysters are served. Management instructed to post a consumer advisory in the restaurant or on the menu.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Clean the grease from the ventilation hood and filters.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inadequate lighting provided in the rear storage room. Must provide adequate lighting in all areas.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

The spray nozzle at the 3 compartment sink and 1 compartment sink both fall below the flood rim level of the sink. Must install a hook to keep the spray nozzles above the flood rim level of the sinks.