Canvass
Jan 6, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 6, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
5411 Empanadas
3715 N Southport Ave
Last inspected Jan 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
4 inspectionsCanvass
Jan 17, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
6 recorded violations
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector’s notes
NO PERSON IN CHARGE WHO IS A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED
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 issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE NOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SUCH AS BEEF, CHICKEN AND CHORIZO EMPANADAS. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER HAS TO BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA WARMINING UP FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
ALL STORED ITEMS IN REAR PREPARATION AREA MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR.
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.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE WASHROOMS. 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
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.
More about building upkeep issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 17, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jan 17, 2024
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
3-307.11 OBSERVED UNLOCKED BOX FREEZERS (3) FILLED WITH FROZEN EMPANADAS IN THE HALLWAY TOWARD THE WASHROOMS WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS TO THE STORED FOODS. MUST STORE ALL FOODS PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONTAMINATION.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-101.11(B, C, D, E) INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER DAMAGED WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE OR REPLACE.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 17, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 9, 2024
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector’s notes
THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION.
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 issuesnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. LAST PEST SERVICE REPORT AVAILABLE DATED 4-26-22. MUST HAVE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDE A CURRENT SERVICE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
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 insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED UNLOCKED BOX FREEZERS (3) FILLED WITH FROZEN EMPANADAS IN THE HALLWAY TOWARD THE WASHROOMS WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS TO THE STORED FOODS. MUST STORE ALL FOODS PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONTAMINATION.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED FLOOR DRAINS UNDER BOTH THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS WITH EXCESSIVE RUST AND DIRT. 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 problemsnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
INOPERABLE METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE UNABLE TO MONITOR HOT COOKING TEMPERATURES OF EMPANADAS AND COLD FOODS. MUST PROVIDE. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
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.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER DAMAGED WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE OR REPLACE.
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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING INSIDE THE COOLERS.----MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING ABOVE THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 9, 2024 · Original Source