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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Carnitas Don Rafa, Inc.

4597 S Archer Ave

Last inspected Mar 12, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Mar 12, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 15Other

Official wording

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNCOVERED FOOD STORED IN WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO COVER OR WRAP ALL EXPOSED FOOD IN WALK IN FREEZER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO SHEET PANS OF PORK CARNITAS WITH DISCARD DATE OF 3/6/26 STORED IN WALK IN COOLER. PORK CARNITAS(VALUED AT $50/ WEIGHING 6LBS) VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY MANAGER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR DISCARD DATES ON REFRIGERATED READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING AT RIGHT OF BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FRONT PREP/BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FRONT PREP/BAR 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 ICE BUILDUP IN WALK IN FREEZER, OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP AROUND INTERIOR OF WALK IN FREEZER DOOR AROUND GASKETS, ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH CONDENSOR, ON TOP SHELF AND ON CONDENDSOR LINES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ICE BUILDUP IN ALL AREAS OF WALK IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BROWN BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN TO THE RIGHT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN 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 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 EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. 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, Mar 12, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 8, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOOD STORAGE ON WALK IN FREEZER FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

MULTI USE PLATES ON STORAGE SHELVES AT COOK LINE NOT INVERTED. INSTD TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN

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 issues
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

TORN GASKET ON WALK IN FREEZER DOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

MISSING PROPER STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN

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

REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT (FLAT TOP GRILL) FROM EXTERIOR/OUTSIDE DINING 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR COOK ON SITE. INSTD TO OBTAIN VERIFICATION OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.

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 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 2, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-602.13 OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RUST ON SILVER SHELVING INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST/OR REPLACE UNIT 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114 OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR 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, Aug 2, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 26, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 OR MORE LARGE FLIES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 SMALL FLIES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CONTACT THE PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE TO ABATE ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). 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 insects
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RUST ON SILVER SHELVING INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST/OR REPLACE UNIT 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, Jul 26, 2024 · Original Source

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