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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Frontera Grill/Topolobambo/Bar Sotano

443 - 447 N Clark St

Last inspected Nov 5, 2025 · 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

6 inspections

Suspected Food Poisoning Re-inspection

Nov 5, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19---OBSERVED RUST ON SOME WALLS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAIR SO AS TO BE NON-POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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

6-202.11---OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE THE MEAT WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OR SHATTER PROOF LIGHT BULBS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source

Suspected Food Poisoning

Oct 28, 2025

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE FRONT MAIN KITCHEN PREP LINE AREA WHILE FOOD HANDLERS WERE ACTIVELY PREPARING FOODS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAND SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM(SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

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 EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.APPROXIMATELY 25 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS AND EQUIPMENTS IN THE 1ST FLOOR BAR AREAS AND SAME AREA CUSTOMER DINING ROOM.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LARGE POTS/PANS ON STORAGE RACKS NOT PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE, INVERT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUST ON SOME WALLS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAIR SO AS TO BE NON-POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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 DIRTY FLOORS WITH LITTER DEBRIS SPILLAGE AND BROKEN GLASS AT (FRONTERA) BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING AT FRONT MAIN COOKLINE/PASTRY PREP AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF HANGING DUSTS DEBRIS 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 NO LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE THE MEAT WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OR SHATTER PROOF LIGHT BULBS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 28, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 16, 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 DISHMACHINE IN THE (FRONTERA) BAR (NOT-IN-USE) AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION;FINAL SANITIZING RINSE AT "0" PPM CHLORINE CONCENTRATION.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.THE SAID DISHMACHINE IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME.A MECHANICAL DISHWASHING MACHINES SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 – 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE).(** SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025, NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM(SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LARGE POTS/PANS ON STORAGE RACKS NOT PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE, INVERT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUST ON SOME WALLS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAIR SO AS TO BE NON-POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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 DIRTY FLOORS WITH LITTER DEBRIS SPILLAGE AND BROKEN GLASS AT (FRONTERA) BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING AT FRONT MAIN COOKLINE/PASTRY PREP AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF HANGING DUSTS DEBRIS 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 NO LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE THE MEAT WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OR SHATTER PROOF LIGHT BULBS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 16, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 26, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

8 recorded violations

notedCode 14Food source and labeling

Official wording

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FRESH OYSTERS IN MULTIPLE CONTAINERS IN WALK IN COOLER WITH NO SHELLSTOCK TAG IN CONTAINERS. CORRECTED ON SITE CONTAINERS OF FRESH OYSTERS VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED BY MANAGEMENT,VALUED AT $200 AND WEIGHING 50LBS. OBSERVED MULTIPLE SHELLSTOCK TAGS FROM JUNE,JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2024 WITH NO DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED. INSTRUCTED THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED SHALL BE RECORDED ON THE TAG OR LABEL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD(ROASTED TOMATILLOS) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 46F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $10 WEIGHING 5LBS. 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE AND MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOUBLE DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WHITE LONG STAINED CUTTING BOARD IN PREP AREA OF SOTANO BAR(COOKLINE). INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARD IN PREP AREA OF SOTANO BAR(COOKLINE) 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 NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN FRONTERA BAR WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN FRONTERA BAR WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

MUTLIPLE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS PROVIDED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

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

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN FRONTERA BAR. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING DATA PLATE ON HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA OF FRONTERA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.

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, Sep 26, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Sep 24, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 24, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 7, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2024 · Original Source

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