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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Esencia Urban Kitchen

3351 N Broadway

Last inspected May 8, 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

4 inspections

Canvass

May 8, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE FOOD DISPLAY COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: COOKED POTATOES RANGING IN TEMPERATURE 48.6F-51.9F, COOKED PORK AT 49.8F, COOKED SHREDDED CHICKEN AT 51.6F, PRE-POACHED EGGS AT 56.8F, SHELLED EGGS RANGING IN TEMPERATURE FROM 44.6F-59.8F AND A VARIETY OF SOUPS RANGING IN TEMPERATURE 46.7F-51.9F MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 35 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $2150.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF ONE DOOR REFER UNIT AT 51.0F. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). 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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (FLOUR AND SUGAR). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

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

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON THE UTILITYSINK IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, 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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENT CONTAINERS, RACKS AND SHELVING WITH FLOUR, DUST, GREASE AND DIRT BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT. RECOMMENDED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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, May 8, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 25, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

6-202.14 - OBSERVED THE BATHROOM IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE WITHOUT A SELF CLOSING DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING BATHROOM DOOR AT THE BASEMENT BATHROOM.

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 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 17, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MACHINE WAS NOT IN USE YET FOR THE DAY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRAION. DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. MANAGER UNABLE TO TURN MACHINE FULLY ON AND GET IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY BY END OF INSPECTION.

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 THE SMALL WOODEN SHELF BELOW THE MICROWAVE IN THE MAIN PREP AREA TO BE MADE OF UNFINISHED WOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT 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
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA NEAR THE COFFEE MAKER TO BE SPRAYING EXCESSIVELY FROM SPOUT WHEN IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE BATHROOM IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE WITHOUT A SELF CLOSING DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING BATHROOM DOOR AT THE BASEMENT BATHROOM.

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 THE OVERHEAD EXHAUST TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD UP IN THE MAIN COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OVERHEAD EXHAUST FILTERS FREE OF EXCESSIVE DUST AND GREASE BUILD UP.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONLY ONE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE 4 EMPLOYEES IN THE KITCHEN AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING, AND ALL NEW EMPLOYEES COMPLETE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 08/05/2024, REPORT #2598567: #58) FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE HAS EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MUST UPDATE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.

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, Jul 17, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 5, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE UPPER PORTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE 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

OBSERVED MISSING CEILING LIGHT BULBS COVER ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.

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 ONE FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING 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, Aug 5, 2024 · Original Source

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