GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Barbacoa & Carnitas Don Chepe Inc.

3116 W Pope John Paul Ii Dr

Last inspected May 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Barbacoa & Carnitas Don Chepe Inc. has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

The full inspection history

2 inspections

License Re-Inspection

May 27, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-307.11: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON DRAINAGE CEILING TRACKS IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT TO PREVENT PEELING PAINT FROM CONTAMINATING FOOD IN WALK IN COOLER AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT DRAINAGE CEILING TRACKS IN WALK IN COOLER. OBSERVED NO RIGHT SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL RIGHT SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT TO THE RIGHT OF SAID HANDWASHING SINK.

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 contamination
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

4-301.16: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA.

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.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11: OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON DUCTS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT DUCTS IN FRONT PREP AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT IN MIDDLE PREP AREA WITH COOKING EQUIPMENT NEAR WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT CEILING IN SAID AREA 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-304.11: OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN EMPLOYEE ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN EMPLOYEE ALL GENDER WASHROOM. OBSERVED NON WORKING SMALL HOOD INSTALLED ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON SOUTH WALL NEAR WINDOW IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION(SMALL HOOD INSTALLED ON SOUTH WALL) OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEAR WINDOW IN MIDDLE PREP AREA.

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 issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, May 27, 2026 · Original Source

License

May 19, 2026

Fail

8 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO LIVE ROACHES AND THREE SMALL FLIES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ROACH AND SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS, RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 5/19/2026. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO BARRIERS TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS FROM TOUCHING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT IN BARBOCOA AND CARNITAS PREP STATIONS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BARRIER TO PROTECT FOOD AND EQUIPMENT STORED IN BARBOCOA HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT AND SHELF ABOVE SAID EQUIPMENT, OBSERVED OPENINGS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF CARNITAS PREP STATION AND SINGLE USE ITEMS STORED ABOVE CARNITAS PREP STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BARRIERS TO SAID AREAS IN BARBOCOA AND CARNITAS PREP STATIONS IN FRONT PREP AREA FROM CONTAMINATION BY PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 contamination
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

CERAMIC/CLAY JUG AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE CUPS AND BOWLS ARE LEAD-FREE OR CONTAIN LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO OVERSIZED POTS STORED IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED IF OVERSIZED EQUIPMENT THAT CAN NOT FIT INSIDE THREE COMPARTMENT, A LARGER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE INSTALLED TO FIT SAID OVERSIZED EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN BEVERAGE STATION A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA.

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.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON DUCTS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT DUCTS IN FRONT PREP AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT IN MIDDLE PREP AREA WITH COOKING EQUIPMENT NEAR WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT CEILING IN SAID AREA 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN EMPLOYEE ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN EMPLOYEE ALL GENDER WASHROOM. OBSERVED NON WORKING SMALL HOOD INSTALLED ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON SOUTH WALL NEAR WINDOW IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION(SMALL HOOD INSTALLED ON SOUTH WALL) OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEAR WINDOW IN MIDDLE PREP AREA.

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 issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, May 19, 2026 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby