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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

5411 Empanadas

2045 W North Ave

Last inspected Apr 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass

Apr 21, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OLD LICENSE NUMBER ON LATERAL SIDES OF MFD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN UPDATED LICENSE NUMBER AS REQUIRED FOR UNIT

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.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 25, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-602.11 OBSERVED SAUCE WITHOUT INGREDIENT LABELS IN PREP COOLER LOCATED NEAR OVEN, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114 OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER STORED ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT HIDING SPACE FOR PEST

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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 25, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 9, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS STORED INSIDE COOLING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT OF PREP AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES.... GALLON OF WHOLE MILK, 2 OPENED QUARTS OF CREAMER AND ALMOND MILK, ONE QUART OAT MILK, ALL RANGING BETWEEN 55-58F DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS @41F AND BELOW AS REQUIRED. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COOLING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT OF PREP AREA @ 50F WHILE STORING VARIETY MILK AND DAIRY CREAMER. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE OF COOLER, REPAIR TO PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW, AND MAINTAIN. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SAUCE WITHOUT INGREDIENT LABELS IN PREP COOLER LOCATED NEAR OVEN, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER STORED ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT HIDING SPACE FOR PEST.

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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 9, 2026 · Original Source

License

May 6, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVE THE SERVING WINDOW NOT PROPERLY SCREEN IN. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.

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.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOOR DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 28, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT SINK AT COFFEE STATION.MUST PROVIDE.

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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 28, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 29, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS.MUST PROVIDE.

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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 29, 2024 · Original Source

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