Canvass
Aug 3, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 3, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
El Azteca
5011 W Fullerton Ave
Last inspected Aug 3, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
5 inspectionsCanvass
Feb 10, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 10, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Feb 24, 2025
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE 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 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ALL FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITH EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 24, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Mar 21, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
5 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 5LBS OF CHICKEN AT 45.2F, 8LBS OF RAW BEEF AT 46.6F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 13LBS AT $50. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
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 temperaturenotedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
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 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
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, Mar 21, 2024 · Original Source
Complaint
Oct 2, 2023
Pass w/ Conditions
10 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED HAND DRYING PROVISIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.CORRECTED ON SITE PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
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 problemsnotedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN COLD HOLDING UNITS, IN WALK IN COOLERS AND ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.
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 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SCOOP ON SURFACE OF SUGAR IN CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES ABOVE THE TOP OF FOOD AND CONTAINER IN BETWEEN USES.
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 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED POTS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTRUCTED DURING STORAGE ALL POTS AND PANS SHALL BE INVERTED DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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
OBSERVED CAN OPENER TIP WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON TIP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CAN OPENER 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT AND COFFEE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES SO THAT THEY CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.
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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OPENING ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT 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 insectsnotedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOM IN BASEMENT.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL IN REAR STORAGE IN AREA NEXT TO CIRCUIT BREAKER. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR HOLE IN WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
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 DUST ON CEILING VENTS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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, Oct 2, 2023 · Original Source