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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Azteca Paleteria

3018 W Cermak Rd

Last inspected Aug 21, 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

Aug 21, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

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 contamination
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.

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 WASTE RECEPTACLE INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE WASHROOM.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO WASTE RECEPTACLES AT HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL AREAS WASTE IS COMMONLY DISCARDED.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CRATES AND UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 21, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 12, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 13, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR EXTERIOR DOOR(RED) WITH 1/2IN GAP AT BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATION STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ITEMS AND ORGANIZE AREA.

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 13, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 4, 2024

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WALLS. APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FIRST-FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ALONG THE WALLS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADVISED MANAGER TO HAVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING IN ALL THREE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

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 4, 2024 · Original Source

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