Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Che Steakhouse & Bar

Name: El Che Steakhouse & Bar
Address: 845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL

845 W Washington Blvd

Last inspected Jul 28, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

8 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 28, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12 ICE SCOOPS IMPROPERLY STORED IN OPEN WIRE RACK TOUCHING WALL. INSTD TO STORE IN A CLEAN, PROTECTED MANNER 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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11 (A;B;D) MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTD TO INVERT (HANDLE UP) 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11: UNSEALED SURFACE, MISSING COVERS ON SUPPORT BEAMS UNDER SERVICE COUNTER IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPAIR, REPLACE COVERING SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE REAR WAREWASHING UNIT. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. BLUE TAPE BEING USED TO HOLD EDGING/WALL CONNECTOR ON WALLS IN REAR NEAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE TAPE AND PROPERLY REPAIR SURFACE.

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 28, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Jun 22, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 22, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Dec 22, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 22, 2025 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Nov 6, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 6, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 30, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

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

Canvass

Aug 28, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSINK FRONT PANELS IN THE REAR DISHWASH PREP AREA HELD TOGETHER WITH BLUE TAPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 28, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 19, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 27, 2023

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS HELD AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER: BEEF FAT AT 50.2F. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 200LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $500. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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 temperature

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MOST FOOD HANLDER CERTIFICATES ON SITE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN GASKETS ON 2 DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2552384 DATED 3/2/2022: #58 "OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.