EL MESON DE LA CAVA RESTAURANT

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed use of non food-grade bags to store food in the walk in cooler and upright cooler Repeat Violation

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken next to raw beef in upright cooler.

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soil in prep area.

Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed lower racks of tables rusted in kitchen area.

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a green like substance along the edge inside ice machine. Repeat Violation

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Throughout the kitchen area.

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed to go containers not stored inverted. Employee inverted all containers Corrected On-Site

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding in disrepair at steam table. Repeat Violation

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation not wearing a hair restraint

Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Observed a lower rack of prep table made of untreated wood.

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled with food debris next to steam table.

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer inside up right coolers. Repeat Violation

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed racks in walk in cooler covered with foil and soiled. Repeat Violation

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed a sauce pot and soup pot stored not covered in the walk in cooking Repeat Violation

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed stomach lining thawing in pot with water. Person in charge took product to walk in cooler to rapid cool.

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop not hung to dry by mop sink.

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed food ready for use stored in walk in cooler not labeled

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed the use of non food grade bags to store food in walk-in cooler.

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over cooked beef in walk in cooler.

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over raw beef in upright freezer by door.

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed rice white (55 F - Hot Holding). As per manager that was from previous day rice and was discarded.

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ribs raw (65 F - Cold Holding); raw beef (55F - Cold Holding). As per manager thawing out for less than 1 hour, he placed them in walk-in cooler to rapid cool. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soiled at prep area.

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pasta, cooked chicken, soups, tamales prepared on site without dates. As per manager since Tuesday in the pm shift. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand sink with no running water next to three compartment sink. Manager open the valve for water to flow. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior guard of ice machine with a green mold-like substance. Manager had employee cleaned it and sanitizer it. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle bowl used to dispense food in the rice and beans containers. Repeat Violation

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Throughout the kitchen area. Repeat Violation

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed raw fish in reduced oxygen packaging thawed in walk in cooler not removed from packaging.

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding in disrepair by steam table. Repeat Violation

Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Observed rack made of non hard wood used to store food in walk in cooler.

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a bucket with raw beef stored on the floor of walk in cooler.

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled at prep area.

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer on upright coolers in wear wash area. Repeat Violation

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with excessive grease.

Basic - Plumbing system improperly installed or repaired. Observed water from hand sink also continuously feeds three compartment sink chemical dispenser.

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed upright cooler shelves soiled in kitchen area.

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves rusted in the walk in cooler.

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed soups,beans,pasta,chicken cooked stored without cover in walk-in cooler. Repeat Violation

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw beef being thawed in a container with water. Manager removed the meat from water and placed it in walk-in cooler to thaw out properly.

Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed a prep table bottom made of un sealed wood next to stove. Repeat Violation

High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed pans and containers not being sanitized after washing. As per employee they use only soap without sanitizing.

High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in use utensils stored in water at 82°F. Operator moved the container on the grill to reheat the water to 135°F. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed French fries and yuca inside at non food grade bag at reach in freezer.

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef over vegetables in reach in freezer, by three compartment sink.

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw eggs stored over vegetables in the walk in cooler. Employee moved eggs to bottom shelve. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over ready to eat cooked pork in walk in cooler.

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee mop the floor and changing to prepare food at cook line without changing the gloves. Employee was coached with the correct procedures. Employee discarded the gloves and washed their hands. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked onions (120 - Hot Holding) at shelf above of grill. Operator moved the product to the grill to be reheating to 165°F. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a bottle of chemical stored on top of reach in freezer next to three compartment sink. Operator moved the chemical under three compartment sink. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink in coffee station used for soiled utensils.

Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. Observed hand washing sink next to three compartment sink no hot water available.

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper on hand washing sink at bar area. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. At time of inspection.

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap on hand washing sink at bar area. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Person in charge unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed person in charge not able to answer questions pertaining to employee health standards, the big 6 food borne illnesses, and thermometer calibration.

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed meats, soups, ribs, meat stew stored in walk in cooler not labeled. As per employee, food was prepped two days ago. Operator date marked the products. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine next to dish machine.

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a no handle container used to scoop rice.

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Repeat Violation

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed fan covers soiled in walk in cooler. Repeat Violation

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed broken cove molding next to steam table.

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. The license was displayed. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed an open cup full of tea next to the grill. Employee discarded cup. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee engaged in preparing food wearing jewelry.

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair and/or in disrepair. Observed tiles in disrepair at preparation area. Repeat Violation

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor next to grill. Repeat Violation

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer , next to dish washing machine. Repeat Violation

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop in soiled surface on top of ice machine Repeat Violation

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled, next to stove. Repeat Violation

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In walk in cooler, and reach in coolers at bar area.

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In coffee station and in bar area.

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed storage shelves rusted and soiled, next to reach in coolers by three compartment sink and gaskets soiled in walk in cooler.

Basic - Reach-in freezer interior have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in freezer next to three compartment sink with ice buildup.

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers not inverted at preparation table. Repeat Violation

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork, ribs, chicken pork soup, beef stew stored un covered in the walk-in cooler.

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed pork shoulder, beef, ribs and chicken Thawing at room temperature inside three compartment sink. Operator moved the food to the walk-in cooler. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Repeat Violation

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leaking water spigot at three compartment sink.

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Repeat Violation

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution at prep table next to grill.

Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed not sealed wood used as shelve lining inside the walk-in cooler.

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of rice removed from original package not labeled in storage area. Repeat Violation

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chlorine solution at 0ppm.

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwash sink used to stored container with soap.

Intermediate - Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet in women's bathroom.

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink located in front counter. Person in charge provided paper towels. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink located in front counter. Person in charge provided soap. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas, in preparation area.

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents in walk-in cooler soiled.

Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, green cutting board located in preparation table.

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor drains soiled.

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair and/or in disrepair, in back preparation area.

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed beverages on floor in front counter.

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer, located in front of three compartment sink.

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored in soiled shelf.

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle in contact with flour and bread crumbs under preparation table.

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled located in coffee station area.

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers not inverted in preparation table.

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk-in cooler shelves rusted.

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container with flour and bread crumbs not identified.