Food Establishment Inspection Report
Page 1  of ????????? 
KANKAKEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
 2390 W. Station Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 802 - 9410
Establishment
 EL MEXICANO RESTAURANT 		License/Permit #
 KK295
Street Address
503 RIVERSTONE PKWY UNIT 203
City/State
 KANKAKEE, IL 		ZIP Code
 60901
No. of Risk Factor/Intervention Violations 1
No. of Repeat Risk Factor/Intervention Violations 1
Date 08/31/2023
Time In 01:55 PM
Time Out 03:25 PM
Permit Holder
COVARRUBIAS, LUIS 		Risk Category
H
Purpose of Inspection
ORIGINAL INSPECTION

FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
Circle designated compliance status (IN, OUT, N/O, N/A) for each numbered item
IN=in compliance    OUT=not in compliance    N/O=not observed    N/A=not applicable
Mark "X" in appropriate box for COS and/or R
COS=corrected on-site during inspection    R=repeat violation 		Risk factors are important practices or procedures identified as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. Public health interventions are control measures to prevent foodborne illness or injury.
Compliance Status
 COS R

SUPERVISION

 
1 IN OUT     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties    
2 IN OUT N/A   Certified Food Protection Manager    

EMPLOYEE HEALTH

 
3 IN OUT     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting    
4 IN OUT     Proper use of restriction and exclusion    
5 IN OUT     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events    

GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES

 
6 IN OUT   N/O Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use    
7 IN OUT   N/O No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth    

PREVENTING CONTAMINATION BY HANDS

 
8 IN OUT   N/O Hands clean & properly washed    
9 IN OUT N/A N/O No bare hand contact with RTE food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed    
10 IN OUT     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible    

APPROVED SOURCE

 
11 IN OUT     Food obtained from approved source    
12 IN OUT N/A N/O Food received at proper temperature    
13 IN OUT     Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated    
14 IN OUT N/A N/O Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction    
Compliance Status
 COS R

PROTECTION FROM CONTAMINATION

 
15 IN OUT N/A N/O Food separated and protected X X
16 IN OUT N/A   Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized    
17 IN OUT     Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned & unsafe food    

TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY

 
18 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cooking time & temperatures    
19 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper reheating procedures for hot holding    
20 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cooling time and temperature    
21 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper hot holding temperatures    
22 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cold holding temperatures    
23 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper date marking and disposition    
24 IN OUT N/A N/O Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records    

CONSUMER ADVISORY

 
25 IN OUT N/A   Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food    

HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATIONS

 
26 IN OUT N/A   Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered    

FOOD/COLOR ADDITIVES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES

 
27 IN OUT N/A   Food additives: approved and properly used    
28 IN OUT N/A   Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used    

CONFORMANCE WITH APPROVED PROCEDURES

 
29 IN OUT N/A   Compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP    

GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
Good Retail Practices are preventative measures to control the addition of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods.
Mark "X" in appropriate box for COS and/or R      
COS
=corrected on site during inspection  
R
=repeat violation  
Compliance Status
 COS R

SAFE FOOD AND WATER

 
30   Pasteurized eggs used where required    
31   Water & ice from approved source    
32   Variance obtained for specialized processing methods    

FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL

 
33 X Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control X  
34   Plant food properly cooked for hot holding    
35   Approved thawing methods used    
36 X Thermometers provided & accurate    

FOOD IDENTIFICATION

 
37   Food properly labeled; original container    

PREVENTION OF FOOD CONTAMINATION

 
38   Insects, rodents, & animals not present    
39 X Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display X X
40   Personal cleanliness    
41 X Wiping cloths: properly used & stored X X
42   Washing fruits & vegetables    

PROPER USE OF UTENSILS

 
43   In-use utensils: properly stored    
Compliance Status
 COS R

PROPER USE OF UTENSILS

 
44 X Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled    
45   Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used    
46   Gloves used properly    

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT, AND VENDING

 
47 X Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used   X
48   Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips    
49 X Non-food contact surfaces clean    

PHYSICAL FACILITIES

 
50   Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure    
51   Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices    
52   Sewage & waste water properly disposed    
53   Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned    
54   Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained    
55 X Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean    
56 X Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used    

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

 
57   All food employees have food handler training    
58   Allergen training as required    
IOCI 17-356

Food Establishment Inspection Report
Page 2  of ?????? 
Establishments: EL MEXICANO RESTAURANT Establishment #: KK295
Water Supply:   Public Private   Waste Water System:   Public Private
Sanitizer Type: Chemical PPM: CHLORINE 100 Heat: NA/CHLORINE °F
CFPM Verification (name, ID#, expiration date):
LUIS COVARRUBIAS
23358082
03/05/2028 		CAROLINA GARCIA
23358083
03/05/2028

01/01/1900

 

TEMPERATURE OBSERVATIONS
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Pork/Walk-in cooler 37.00°F Chicken/Kitchen cooler 35.00°F Tomatoes/Prep cooler 35.00°F
Salsa/Server cooler 33.00°F Orange/Bar cooler 39.00°F /3 freezers 0.00°F
Ground beef/Steam table 167.00°F Chicken/Steam table 142.00°F Beef/Stove top 141.00°F
Ground beef/Flat top grill 162.00°F    

OBSERVATIONS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Item
Number 		Severity Violations cited in this report must be corrected within the time frames below.
15 P 3-302.11 (A) (2): (A) FOOD shall be protected from cross contamination by:   (2) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal FOODS from each other such as beef, FISH, lamb, pork, and POULTRY during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (a) Using separate EQUIPMENT for each type, or (b) Arranging each type of FOOD in EQUIPMENT so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, and (c) Preparing each type of FOOD at different times or in separate areas.
Observed raw shrimp stored above ready to eat foods in the prep cooler. The ready to eat foods were moved to a different area in the cooler. COS,Repeat
33 PF 3-501.15 (A): (A) Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under § 3-501.14 by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of FOOD being cooled: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; (4) Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; (6) Adding ice as an ingredient;  or (7) Other effective methods.
Observed two large plastic pans of rice cooling in the walk-in cooler. In this instance, cool the rice in a metal pan, divide into smaller portions, and use an ice water bath to speed cooling. This rice was moved to an ice water bath, as no other metal pans were available. COS
36 C 4-204.112 (B-C): (B) Except as specified in¶(C) of this section, cold or hot holding EQUIPMENT used for TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD shall be designed to include and shall be equipped with at least one integral or permanently affixed TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE that is located to allow easy viewing of the device's temperature display. 4-204.112 Temperature Measuring Devices.(C) Paragraph (B) of this section does not apply to EQUIPMENTfor which the placement of a TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE is not a practical means for measuring the ambient air surrounding the FOOD because of the design, type, and use of the EQUIPMENT, such as calrod units, heat lamps, cold plates, bainmaries, steam tables, insulated FOOD transport containers, and salad bars.
Several cold holding units do not display thermometers. Provide thermometers for all cold holding units and maintain by the next routine inspection.
39 C 3-305.11 (A) (B) (C): (A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, FOOD shall be protected from contamination by storing the FOOD: (1) In a clean, dry location; (2) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (3) At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor. (B) FOOD in packages and working containers may be stored less than 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor on case lot handling EQUIPMENT as specified under § 4-204.122. (C) Pressurized BEVERAGE containers, cased FOOD in waterproof containers such as bottles or cans, and milk containers in plastic crates may be stored on a floor that is clean and not exposed to floor moisture.
Observed the following foods stored uncovered in the kitchen: 1)Products held in the steam table, 2)Tortillas on shelves in the kitchen, 3)Cooked vegetables at the flat top grill. Lids were provided. COS,Repeat
41 C 3-304.14 (B)(1)(2): (B) Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other EQUIPMENT surfaces shall be: (1) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under § 4-501.114; and (2) Laundered daily as specified under ¶ 4-802.11(D).
The concentration of the chlorine sanitizer solutions held at the server station and at the bus station was too low. New sanitizer solution was prepared and tested at the proper concentration. COS,Repeat
41 C 3-304.14 (E): (E) Containers of chemical sanitizing solutions specified in Subparagraph (B)(1) of this section in which wet wiping cloths are held between uses shall be stored off the floor and used in a manner that prevents contamination of FOOD, EQUIPMENT.
Observed bucket of sanitizer solution in the kitchen stored on the floor. Store all buckets of sanitizer solution off the floor and maintain by the next routine inspection.
44 C 4-903.11 (B)(1)(2): (B) Clean EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS shall be stored as specified under (A) of this section and shall be stored: (1) In a self-draining position that allows air drying; and (2) Covered or inverted.
Observed clean plates stored in the kitchen with the food contact surface up. Store all clean equipment and utensils inverted and maintain by the next routine inspection.
47 C 4-101.19: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other FOOD soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a CORROSION-RESISTANT, nonabsorbent, and SMOOTH material.
Observed the following improper surfaces of non-food contact surfaces: 1)Cardboard on the lower shelf next to and below the flat top grill, 2)Insulation used to prop up equipment on the service window. Remove these unapproved surfaces and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
49 C 4-602.13: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.
Observed the following non-food contact surfaces in need of cleaning: 1)Racks inside the prep cooler, 2)Can storage rack. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection.
55 C 6-501.114: The PREMISES shall be free of: (A) Items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment such as EQUIPMENT that is nonfunctional or no longer used; and (B) Litter.
Observed litter in the dumpster enclosure. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection.
56 C 6-303.11: The light intensity shall be: (A) At least 108 lux (10 foot candles) at a distance of 75 cm (30 inches) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry FOOD storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning; (B) At least 215 lux (20 foot candles): (1) At a surface where FOOD is provided for CONSUMER self-service such as buffets and salad bars or where fresh produce or PACKAGED FOODS are sold or offered for consumption, (2) Inside EQUIPMENT such as reach-in and under-counter refrigerators; and (3) At a distance of 75 cm (30 inches) above the floor in areas used for handwashing, WAREWASHING, and EQUIPMENT and UTENSIL storage, and in toilet rooms; and (C)At least 540 lux (50 foot candles) at a surface where a FOOD EMPLOYEE is working with FOOD or working with UTENSILS or EQUIPMENT such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where EMPLOYEE safety is a factor.
The lighting in the men's bathroom is too dim. Repair and maintain by the next routine inspection.
HACCP Topic: COOLING PROCEDURES.
 

Person In Charge

  LUIS COVARRUBIAS 		 

Date:

  08/31/2023
 

Inspector

  DANA JAMES 		 

Follow-up:  Yes   No   Follow-up Date: