Birrieria Tepa Mexican Restaurant

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Observed creama measured at 46F in prep line reach in cooler. Observed green salsa measured at 47F in prep line counter top cooler. [CA] Potientially hazardous foods shall be held at temperature of 41F or below.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

ObservedRaw meats stored above ready to eat foods in walk-in cooler. [CA] Store raw meat products below vegetables or ready to eat foods to prevent cross contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

Official wording

Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

Inspector’s notes

1. Observed prep line cooler ambient temperature measured at 46F [CA] Repair or lower the holding temperature in prep line cold holding unit to 41F or below. 2. Observed chest freezer door damaged. [CA] Repair chest freezer. 3. Observed rust build up on wire shelving in the following... - 2 sliding door upright reach in cooler (front area) - 2 door upright reach in cooler (kitchen) - 2 door upright reach in freezer (kitchen) [CA] Repair or replace all rusted wiring shelves. 4. Observed unused 2 door upright reach in cooler, per employee cooler broken. [CA] Repair, replace, or remove. 5. Observed unused ice machine in the kitchen. [CA] If not in use, remove from premise. 6. Observed chipped bowl and plates at cook line. [CA] Discard. 7. Observed green beans inside chipped plastic strainer in 2 door upright reach in cooler. [CA] Discard and replace chipped plastic strainer.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

Official wording

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned

Inspector’s notes

1. Observed dust build up on ventilation in employee restroom and men's restroom. [CA] Clean and maintain dust build up in all restrooms. 2. Observed toilet paper properly not placed in dispenser. [CA] Provide and install all toilet paper in dispenser. 3. Observe lack of self-closing on door. [CA] Install self-closing device.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

1. Observed broken cove based tile by dirty dishes rack. [CA] Repair or replace broken cove based tile on wall. 2. Observed white debris build up under water heater. [CA] Clean and maintain floor to prevent debris build up.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Observed mold like build up in the following... - Rubber gasket in 2 door up right reach in freezer (kitchen) - Walls in reach in freezer (kitchen) - Walls in reach in cooler (kitchen) - Walls in 2 sliding door reach in cooler (front area) - Inside of ice machine by the ice chute (front area) [CA] Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of mold, dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Observed salsas in used single-use food containers. [CA] Single use food container (salsa) shall not be reused to store food. Use approved reusable food containers.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

Observed prep sink pipe line in floor drain. [CA] All water supply inlets attached at the prep sink shall have an air gap at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than one inch from the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

Official wording

Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly

Inspector’s notes

Observed employee take out garbage, washed their hands in the prep sink without soap, and as she was returning to active food prep, stopped her to properly wash her hands in handwashing sink. [CA] Properly wash hands with soap after bare contact with contaminated equipment before entering to active food preparation. [COS] Employee properly washed hands in handwash sink.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Food properly labeled and honestly presented

Inspector’s notes

Observed unlabeled containers of white powders stored under prep table. [CA] All bulk foods shall be properly labeled with common name on food containers.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

Official wording

Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing

Inspector’s notes

Observed mop stored directly on the floor next to handwash sink in the kitchen. Observed no mop hanger at mop sink. [CA] Install mop hanger at the mop sink and hang the mop to allow to drip dry into the mop sink.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Observed unavailable chlorine test strips. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be available and provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Observed the sanitizer compartment in the 3 compartment sink with chlorine sanitizer measured at 25ppm. [CA] Chlorine sanitizer shall maintain a sanitizer level of 100ppm in the 3 compartment sink for manuel warewashing.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Chlorine test strips are not available for use. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing. Ensure chlorine sanitizer is at least 100ppm when sanitizing.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Table mounted can opener blade has encrusted food debris; can opener was not in use during inspection. [CA] Washed, rinsed and sanitized can opener blade after use to to prevent contamination.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Raw chicken is stored above cooked sauce in the walk-in cooler. [CA] All food shall be separated and protected from cross-contamination. Store all raw meat or other raw products of animal origin below ready-to-eat food items.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Specialist observed old, dry rodent droppings behind a freezer chest located in the hallway outside of the kitchen; no other activity observed in other locations. Per PIC, facility did have issues with rodents a few years ago, but has resolves and continues to receive monthly pest control service. Specialist observed last pest control invoice that indicated no vermin activity observed. [CA] The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin and droppings. [COS] floor was cleaned and sanitized during inspection.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Accumulation of dust observed on wall behind the 3 door freezer reach in. Accumulation of grease observed under cooking equipment. [CA] Walls and/or floors in food preparation area shall be kept clean.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

Grease accumulation observed on hood baffles. [CA] Clean mechanical exhaust hood and/or filters of grease accumulation.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.