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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Berrinches Pilsen Restaurant

1519 W 18th St

Last inspected Sep 9, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Sep 9, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

9 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

UPON ARRIVAL, I OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. MANAGER ARRIVED BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF THE INSPECTION. 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 issues
notedCode 13Contamination

Official wording

FOOD IN GOOD CONDITION, SAFE, & UNADULTERATED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ADULTERATED READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 4 SMALL FLIES ON CUT LIMES AND LEMONS STORED AT THE BAR IN AN UNCOVERED CONTAINER. LEMONS AND LIMES ARE USED FOR BEVERAGES. IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEE DISCARD OF 3LBS AT $10 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

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 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPEN RODENT BAIT STATIONS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ON TOP OF AN OPEN PREP COOLER NEAR FOOD ITEMS AND ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE DISHWASHING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THE MANAGER ALL RODENT BAIT STATIONS SHALL BE COVERED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-015, CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR NEAR THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF AND MAINTAIN.

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 ALL PREP COOLERS/ COLD HOLDING UNITS AND HOT HOLDING UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE NOT COVERED, WHILE UNATTENDED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MUST COVER MAINTAIN ALL FOOD ITEMS.

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

OBSERVED ALL GENDER TOILET ROOM IN THE DINING AREA WITH A DAMAGED LOCK. DOOR NOT ABLE TO LOCK. INSTRUCTED 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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONE MISSING SINK STOPPER FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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

OBSERVED STANDING SLIGHT WATER NEAR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE 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

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FROM THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS 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, Sep 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 27, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2024 · Original Source

License

Aug 27, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2024 · Original Source

License

Mar 8, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYER WITH MINOR ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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

6-201.13 OBSERVED THE WALLS NOT COVERED UNDER THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND THE FOOD PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SURFACE TIGHT FITTING.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

4-501.114 OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT SANITIZING PROPERLY AT 0PPM DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN 50PPM-100PPM OF CHLORINE SANITIZING CONCENTRATION AT ALL TIMES. LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MAY NOT BE USED. THE FACILITY MUST USE THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED

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

5-202.11 OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ATTACHED TO THE FOOD PREP AND BAR AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 8, 2024 · Original Source

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