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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Malecon

9706 S Commercial Ave

Last inspected Feb 24, 2026 · 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

Feb 24, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

2-101.11 OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE POSTED NOR ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE AN ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14 OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. 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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11 OBSERVED A CONTAINER OF A CHEMICAL OUT OF IT'S ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND IN A SPRAY BOTTLE HANGING BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT A LABEL CONTAINING THE CHEMICAL'S COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL BOTTLES THAT CONTAIN CHEMICAL WHEN THE CHEMICAL IS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING. MANAGER PROVIDED A LABEL FOR THE SPRAY BOTTLE DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-015.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS INADEQUATELY LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE PRODUCT. OBSERVED A CONTAINER WITH THE LABEL "SAL" ON THE FRONT HOWEVER THE CONTAINER WAS A RICE STORAGE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS PROPERLY.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

4-301.13 OBSERVED A DRAINBOARD IS NEEDED AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12 OBSERVED VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT 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 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

8-304.11(A) OBSERVED THE MOST PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DATED 1/6/25 NOT POSTED FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW. AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION THE FACILITY HAD THE INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 4/25/24 POSTED. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS POST THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-010(B).

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 24, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Feb 9, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 6, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CUP USED FOR DISPENSING RICE AND HANDLE OF SPOON LAYING INSIDE CONTAINER OF CEVICHE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LONG HANDLE DISPENSING UTENSILS AND STORE DISPENSING UTENSIL HANDLE ABOVE FOOD TO PREVENT 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, Jan 6, 2025 · Original Source

License

Apr 25, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON TRUE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN PREP AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMs TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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 GRILL IN REAR PREP AREA NOT UNDER VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PLACE GRILL UNDER VENTILATION HOOD OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

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, Apr 25, 2024 · Original Source

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