image Food Establishment Inspection Report
Pursuant to Title 25-A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
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Health Regulation & Licensing Administration    Office of Food, Drug, Radiation, and Community Hygiene    2201 Shannon Place, SE - 2nd Floor    Washington, DC 20020
http://doh.dc.gov/service/food-safety      email: food.safety@dc.gov
Establishment Name  LOS CUATES RESTAURANT
Address  1564 WISCONSIN AVE NW
City/State/Zip Code  Washington, DC 20007
Telephone
 202-965-7009
 E-mail address  info@cuatesgrill.com
Date of Inspection
 03
/
 09
/
 2017
    Time In
 01
:
 25
PM     Time Out
 02
:
 40
PM  
License Holder  Los Cuates Restaurant Inc.
License/Customer No.  09313xxxx-68002724
License Period
 05 
/
 01 
/
 2016 
 - 
 04 
/
 30 
/
 2018 
 Type of Inspection
 Routine
Establishment Type:  Restaurant Total
    Risk Category 1
 
 2
 
 3
 
 4
 
 5
 
 
Priority Violations  3 COS  0 R  0
Priority Foundation Violations  7 COS  0 R  0
Core Violations  6 COS  0 R  0
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
 RUDY RAMIREZ 
CFPM #:  FS-65990 

CFPM Expiration Date:   06/24/2018  
D.C. licensed trash or solid waste contractor:
 PDS 
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
 Valley Proteins 
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
 Orkin 
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
 MG Master Cleaning 
FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
  Compliance Status COS R
  Supervision  
IN OUT 1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
 
 
IN OUT 2. Certified Food Protection Manager
 
 
  Employee Health  
IN OUT 3. Management, food employee, and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities, and reporting
 
 
IN OUT 4. Proper use of restriction and exclusion
 
 
IN OUT 5. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
 
 
  Good Hygienic Practices  
IN OUT N/O 6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
 
 
IN OUT N/O 7. No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
 
 
  Control of Hands as a Vehicle of Contamination  
IN OUT N/O 8. Hands clean and properly washed
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 9. No bare hand contact with RTE foods or a pre-approved alternate procedure properly allowed
 
 
IN OUT 10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
 
 
  Approved Source  
IN OUT 11. Food obtained from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 12. Food received at proper temperature
 
 
IN OUT 13. Food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 14. Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
 
 
  Protection from Contamination  
IN OUT N/A 15. Food separated and protected
 
 
IN OUT N/A 16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
 
 
IN OUT 17. Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned, and unsafe food
 
 
  Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food)  
IN OUT N/A N/O 18. Proper cooking time and temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 19. Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 20. Proper cooling time and temperature
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 21. Proper hot holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A 22. Proper cold holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 23. Proper date marking and disposition
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 24. Time as a public health control: procedures and records
 
 
  Consumer Advisory  
IN OUT N/A 25. Consumer advisory provided for raw or undercooked foods
 
 
  Highly Susceptible Populations  
IN OUT N/A 26. Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered
 
 
  Chemical  
IN OUT N/A 27. Food additives: approved and properly used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 28. Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used
 
 
  Conformance with Approved Procedures  
IN OUT N/A 29. Compliance with variance, specialized process, and HACCP plan
 
 
 
GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
  Compliance Status COS R
  Safe Food and Water  
IN OUT N/A 30. Pasteurized eggs used where required
 
 
IN OUT 31. Water and ice from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A 32. Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
 
 
  Food Temperature Control  
IN OUT 33. Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 34. Plant food properly cooked for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 35. Approved thawing methods used
 
 
IN OUT 36. Thermometers provided and accurate
 
 
  Food Identification  
IN OUT 37. Food properly labeled; original container
 
 
  Prevention of Food Contamination  
IN OUT 38. Insects, rodents, and animals not present
 
 
IN OUT 39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, and display
 
 
IN OUT N/A 40. Personal cleanliness
 
 
IN OUT 41. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 42. Washing fruits and vegetables
 
 
  Proper Use of Utensils  
IN OUT 43. In-use utensils: properly stored
 
 
IN OUT 44. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, and handled
 
 
IN OUT 45. Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored and used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 46. Gloves used properly
 
 
  Utensils, Equipment, and Vending  
IN OUT 47. Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
 
 
IN OUT 48. Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips
 
 
IN OUT 49. Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
 
 
  Physical Facilities  
IN OUT 50. Hot and cold water available; adequate pressure
 
 
IN OUT 51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
 
 
IN OUT 52. Sewage and waste water properly disposed
 
 
IN OUT 53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, and cleaned
 
 
IN OUT 54. Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
 
 
IN OUT 55. Physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
 
 
IN OUT 56. Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
 
 
IN = in compliance OUT = not in compliance N/O = not observed
N/A = not applicable COS = corrected on-site R = repeat violation
Establishment Name  LOS CUATES RESTAURANT    Establishment Address  1564 WISCONSIN AVE NW
OBSERVATIONS 25 DCMR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
3. - The establishment did not provide proof of an employee health policy for the prevention of foodborne illness. I provided the establishment with a copy of the Food Code's conditional employee and food employee interview, reporting agreement, and medical referral forms.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  300.1 The licensee shall require food employees and conditional employees to report to the person in charge, in accordance with this Section, information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food.  
5. - The establishment does not have approved procedures for responding to a contamination event due to vomiting or diarrhea. I provided a written procedure to respond to vomiting and diarrheal accidents to clean-up and disinfect.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  504.1 A licensee shall ensure that its food establishment shall have procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. The procedures shall address the specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. Pf  
15. - Raw chicken and raw beef stored together in the walk-in refrigerator. (Mentioned items were later stored in proper manner to prevent cross contamination in the walk-in refrigerator.) (Corrected On Site)  802.1(a)-(b) Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (a) Except as specified in Section 802.1(a)(3), separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (1) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables; P and (2) Cooked ready-to-eat food; P and (3) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to eat food; (b) 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: (1) Using separate equipment for each type; P or (2) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, and (3) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas. P  
16. - Unclean food slicer.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
16. - Unclean drip panel inside the ice making machine. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
16. - The chlorine concentration at the automatic dish washing machine was measured to be only 10 ppm at 120 degree F water temperature during inspection. (Do not use the automatic dish washing machine until sated violation is properly abated.) (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1813.2 A chlorine solution shall have a minimum temperature based on the concentration and pH of the solution as listed in the following chart: P CONCENTRATION RANGE = 25 mg/L - 49 mg/L (if pH 10 or less, minimum temperature = 49 degrees C (120 degrees F); if pH 8 or less, minimum temperature = 49 degrees C (120 degrees F)]; CONCENTRATION RANGE = 50 mg/L - 49 mg/L (if pH 10 or less, minimum temperature = 38 degrees C (100 degrees F); if pH 8 or less, minimum temperature = 24 degrees C (75 degrees F)]; MINUMUM CONCENTRATION = 100 mg/L (if pH 10 or less, minimum temperature = 13 degrees C (55 degrees F); if pH 8 or less, minimum temperature = 13 degrees C (55 degrees F)].  
16. - Unclean glass cups observed stored outside at the back of the building. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
22. - Cold food items (chopped onions -raw, sliced tomatoes, chopped lettuce) are held at improper temperatures in one of the reach-in refrigerators located in the kitchen. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1005.1 Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified in Section 1009, potentially hazardous food (time/ temperature control for safety food) shall be maintained: (b) At five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less. P  
23. - Temperature control for safety food (salsa) intended to be held for more than 24 hours are not date marked while being stored in the walk-in refrigerator.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1007.1 Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in Section 1011, and except as specified in Section 1007.4 and 1007.5, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than twenty- four (24) hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. Pf  
38. - Rat droppings observed on floor in the mop sink/water heater corner and outside at the back of the building where food contact surfaces are stored. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  3210.1 The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by: Pf (a) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; Pf (b) Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; Pf (c) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified in Sections 3402, 3410 and 3411; Pf and (d) Eliminating harborage conditions. Pf  
43. - In-use items (tong and spatula) stored in standing water at room temperature during inspection.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  810.1 During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (a) Except as specified in Section 810.1(b), in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container; (b) In food that is not potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety food) with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon; (c) On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency specified in Sections 1901 and 2001; (d) In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes; (e) In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety food); or (f) In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least fifty-seven degrees Celsius (57 degrees C) (one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees F)) and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified in Section 1901.3.  
45. - Unwrapped plastic straws for drinking purposes have been furnished on bar counter in holders. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS  2205.1 Single-service and single-use articles and cleaned and sanitized utensils shall be handled, displayed, and dispensed so that contamination of food- and lip- contact surfaces is prevented.  
47. - Door plastic gaskets and leg for one of the reach-in refrigerators are not in good repair. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  1800.2 Equipment components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.  
48. - There are no chemical test strips available to measure the concentration of the sanitizing solution.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  1608.1 A test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in micrograms per liter (mg/L) of sanitizing solutions shall be provided. Pf  
49. - Exterior surfaces of automatic dish washing machine has not been cleaned as needed. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.3 Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.  
51. - No backflow preventer device installed between the connected plastic house and faucet for the mop sink. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS)  2409.1 A plumbing system shall be installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use at the food establishment, including on a hose bibb if a hose is attached or on a hose bibb if a hose is not attached and backflow prevention is required by the D.C. Plumbing Code (2008) incorporating the International Plumbing Code 2006, as amended by the D.C. Plumbing Code Supplement (subtitle F of 12 DCMR) by: (a) Providing an air gap as specified in Section 2403; P or (b) Installing an approved backflow prevention device as specified in Section 2404. P  
55. - Clutter observed outside at the back of the building.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  3213.1 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.  
 
Sanitizer: Chlorine, 10 ppm, 0.0 pH, 120.0°F 
Temperatures
 Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp
Beans (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 180.0F Wheat/Oat/Grain/Rice (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 158.0F Tomatoes sliced (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 53.0F Onions raw (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 52.0F
Lettuce (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 54.0F Soup (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 185.0F salsa (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 38.0F Cheese shredded (Refrigerator - reach-in) (Cold Holding) 38.0F
Eggs (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Beef (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Chicken raw (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F (Freezer - Reach-In) 0.0F
               
Inspector Comments:
Most recent pest extermination service date: 02/24/2017

Correct above stated violations within specified time periods.
Failure to abate the observed violations may result in further legal action.

If you have question, please contact the department at food.safety@dc.gov
DC Health does not assign a grade, percentage, or rating for establishment inspection reports. We perform a pass-fail inspection. The amount of Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core violations are tallied at the top of each inspection report. DC Health also performs follow up inspections to ensure the violations which were cited on the initial report have been corrected. To view an establishment's inspection report, follow this link: https://dc.healthinspections.us.
  Rudy Ramirez 03/09/2017
 Person-in-Charge (Signature) (Print) Date
    Jemal Yasin 026  03/09/2017 
  Inspector (Signature) (Print) Badge # Date
    2023