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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Capitan Restaurant

3754-3758 W Armitage Ave

Last inspected May 13, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

May 13, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-601.11 OBSERVED WORKING NGREDIENTS (FLOUR, SEASONINGS, SUGAR) REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-307.11 OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS IN PREP AND BAR ARE STORE IMPROPERLY ON TOP OF COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE CLEAN CONTAINER IN BETWEEN USE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

5-501.17 OBSERVED RECEPTACLES INSIDE TOILET ROOMS WITHOTU COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID 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

6-501.14 OBSERVED FANS IN PREP/BAR AS WELL AS UNDER VENTILATION HOOD ACCUMULATED WITH DUST, DIRT AND GREASE BUILDUP. 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 issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED 1 OF 2 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISE FOR CFM CERTIFICATE HOLDERS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

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 13, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

May 6, 2026

Fail

9 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WORKING NGREDIENTS (FLOUR, SEASONINGS, SUGAR) REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 THE FOLLOWING THREE DOORS OPEN DURING TIME OF INSPECTION... THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS FRONT ENTRANCE, SIDE DOOR NEAR RESTROOMS, REAR EXIT DOOR NEAR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP DOORS CLOSED TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. MUST 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 ICE SCOOPS IN PREP AND BAR ARE STORE IMPROPERLY ON TOP OF COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE CLEAN CONTAINER IN BETWEEN USE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

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 MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. NOTED GASKETS LOCATED ON CHEST FREEZERS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IN DISREPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 SHELVING RACKS INSIDE 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT WITH ACCUMMULATED BUILDUP ON SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RECEPTACLES INSIDE TOILET ROOMS WITHOTU COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID 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 OUT C 08/06/2026 OBSERVED REAR PREP AREA, BASEMENT AND 2ND FLOOR STORAGE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF FLOOR. MUST MAINTAIN PREMISE.

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 FANS IN PREP/BAR AS WELL AS UNDER VENTILATION HOOD ACCUMULATED WITH DUST, DIRT AND GREASE BUILDUP. 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 issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 1 OF 2 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISE FOR CFM CERTIFICATE HOLDERS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

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 6, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 7, 2025

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 7, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Dec 30, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 30, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Oct 17, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 17, 2024 · Original Source

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