Canvass
Jul 29, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 29, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine
3231 N Clark St
Last inspected Jul 29, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
8 inspectionsCanvass
Dec 30, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED IN BASEMENT PREP SHELF FALLING OFF WALL, INSTRUCTED 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 30, 2025 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Sep 25, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 25, 2025 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Sep 8, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 8, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Nov 5, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2024 · Original Source
License
Nov 5, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2024 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
Aug 2, 2024
Pass
4 recorded violations
notedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
3-307.11 - OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA, AND OBSERVED NO LID OR METHOD OF COVERING OF ICE BIN IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON BOTH SIDES AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LID OR COVER FOR ICE BIN TO PREVENT AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF 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 contaminationnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-501.114 OBSERVED UNUSED AND UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT STORED IN THE BASEMENT (ONE NON-WORKING DRYER). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY TO OPERATION OF FACILITY.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
5-204.12 - WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATED THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT AND THE ESPRESSO MACHINE/COFFEE MAKER ON THE RIGHT MOST SIDE IN THE BAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE AND PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
6-202.11 - OBSERVED TWO (2) LIGHT BULBS IN THE EXHAUST HOOD IN MAIN PREPARATION AREA TO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 2, 2024 · Original Source
License
Jul 22, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
6 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED UNUSED AND UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT STORED IN THE BASEMENT (ONE NON-WORKING DRYER) AND UNDER THE PORCH LEADING TO THE REAR TRASH AREA/PARKING LOT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY TO OPERATION OF FACILITY.
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 problemsnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AVAILABLE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE.
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 problemsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA, AND OBSERVED NO LID OR METHOD OF COVERING OF ICE BIN IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON BOTH SIDES AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LID OR COVER FOR ICE BIN TO PREVENT AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF 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 contaminationnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CERAMIC/STONE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS PLATES, MUGS, AND SMALL BOWLS TO BE USED FOR CONTACT WITH FOOD WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION STATING THE UTENSIL IS LEAD-FREE OR CONTAINS ALLOWABLE LEVELS OF LEAD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT FROM USE UNTIL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. ALL CERAMIC/STONE UTENSILS WERE TAGGED AND HELD FOR 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IN UTILITY SINK AREA TO BE LEAKING WHEN FAUCET IS TURNED ON FROM BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN SYSTEM 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TWO (2) LIGHT BULBS IN THE EXHAUST HOOD IN MAIN PREPARATION AREA TO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 22, 2024 · Original Source