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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Fogon De Elena Restaurant

3149 W Lawrence Ave

Last inspected Feb 20, 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

5 inspections

Canvass

Feb 20, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.

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 problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RICE AND SUGAR IN UNCOVERED CONTAINERS IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO COVER FOOD ITEMS TO PROTECT FROM 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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE USE STYROFOAM TRAYS FACING UP ON THE PREP TABLE INTHE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAYS TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 20, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 26, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-204.12--BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-303.11--OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 29, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONE REFRIGERATION UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT COFFEE BEVERAGE PREP AREA WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 47.7F. NO TCS FOODS WERE FOUND IN SAID COOLER AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER. THE COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. SEE COMMENTS BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION 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 temperature
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS LINERS ON STORAGE SHELFS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL LINERS AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 29, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 28, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET 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

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

Non-Inspection

Feb 23, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 23, 2024 · Original Source

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