Pilsen Taqueria Closed For 'Deplorable' Conditions, City Says

CHICAGO (STMW) -- Flies buzzing around chiles and tomatoes, insects crawling on cutting boards, and rat droppings in a storage area were among the problems inspectors found at a Pilsen taqueria, leading to its closure by the city on Monday.

Inspectors from the Department of Streets & Sanitation's Dumpster Task Force closed Tito's Hacienda at 1854 S. Blue Island because of insect and cleanliness problems, as well as a lack of hot water, according to a release from Streets & San.

The Task Force followed up on a complaint and found a multitude of problems at Tito's, which also operates under the name L&O Hacienda, the release said. The first critical violation was no hot water to maintain sanitary conditions.

Inspectors next observed flying insects crawling on cutting boards in the main food prep area, which constituted a second critical violation, according to the release.

They then saw flying insects "buzzing the chiles and tomatoes in a back storage area, and noted that there were more than 40 rat droppings in that same room," the release said. Inspectors found a grease-encrusted grease disposal container in the alley. Two additional tickets were issued for these two serious violations, the release said.

"Conditions were deplorable and closing this taqueria was the only option our inspectors had," Josie Cruz, deputy commissioner of Streets & San's Bureau of Rodent Control, said in the release.

"If they want to reopen, management will have much work to do including a detailed cleaning and pest-proofing effort, revamping their housekeeping and pest control programs," he said. They must also restore hot water service and pass a re-inspection.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)