Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Frontera Tortas By Rick Bayless Gate K4 T3

Name: Frontera Tortas By Rick Bayless Gate K4 T3
Address: 11601 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL

11601 W Touhy Ave

Last inspected May 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

May 19, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK UNABLE TO BE USED. WHEN WATER IS RUN, WATER DISPOSES TO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HAND WASHING SINK IS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. MAINTENANCE SERVICED HAND WASHING SINK 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.

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DISH MACHINE PROVIDING A FINAL CHLORINE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE DISH MACHINE PROVIDES A MINIMUM SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 50 PPM. SANITIZER RESTORED PRIOR TO CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 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 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LACTIC ACID SANITIZER BEING DISPENSED FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN CONCENTRATIONS EXCEEDING 1875 PPM AS RECOMMENDED ON MANUFACTER'S LABEL FOR FOOD CONTACT SURFACES. CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER MEASURED AT APPROXIMATELY 2258 PPM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE SANITIZER IS DISPENSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTION. ALL TOXIC AND POISONOUS MATERIALS SHALL BE USED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTERER'S INSTRUCTIONS. MANAGER CONTACTED ECOLAB AND STATED SANITIZER WILL BE DILUTED BEFORE USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-015 CITATION ISSUED.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE MACHINE WITH MINERAL BUILD UP ON INTERIOR. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 19, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 22, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SALSA CUPS BEING THAWED IN PREP SINK. INSTRUTED TO THAW ITEMS EITHER UNDER RUNNING WATER OR INSIDE MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION.

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

NOTED TEH FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT ISSUES THROUGHOUT FACILITY: HOT HOLD UNIT AT FRONT PREP AREA NOT WORKING, DOORS ON 2 DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA NOT LEVEL, NOT IN USE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE, AND TORN GASKET IN INTERIOR OF 4 DRAWER COOLER LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL ITEMS 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH KEG COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANLDER 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN 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

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

Canvass

Apr 4, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 4, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 21, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY AT THE BAR.

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, Nov 21, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass