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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Caldero

5145 S Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Apr 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass
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

Apr 22, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING AT LOWER LEFT CORNER 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 insects
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-204.12: UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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

6-501.16: OBSERVED MOP STORED IN BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINING AND DRYING OF MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING

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 ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN ALL GENDER WASHROOM.

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 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, Apr 22, 2026 · Original Source

License

Apr 8, 2026

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING AT LOWER LEFT CORNER 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 insects
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO BARRIER TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS FROM TOUCHING FOOD STORED IN HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT NEXT TO COOKLINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BARRIER TO PROTECT FOOD STORED IN HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT NEXT TO COOKLINE IN FRONT PREP AREA FROM CONTAMINATION BY PUBLIC. OBSERVED NO BARRIER TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS FROM TOUCHING FOOD ON RIGHT SIDE IN TOP STORAGE AREA OF COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BARRIER TO PROTECT FOOD ON RIGHT SIDE IN TOP STORAGE AREA OF COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA FROM CONTAMINATION BY PUBLIC.OBSERVED NO BARRIER TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS FROM ENTERING INTO REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BARRIER TO PROTECT REAR FOOD 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING IN REAR OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER LID. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER LID AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING LID ON OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MOP STORED IN BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINING AND DRYING OF MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.

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 ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN ALL GENDER WASHROOM.

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 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, Apr 8, 2026 · Original Source

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