Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Barca

Name: La Barca
Address: 1221 W 47th St, Chicago, IL

1221 W 47th St

Last inspected Jan 16, 2026 · 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

4 inspections

Canvass

Jan 16, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Placing wet utensils after washing on a cloth towels. instructed not to use cloth in drying process.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

Noted equipment placed in 3-comp sink, fire extinguisher placed in sink, instructed manager to keep sink free from any unnecessary items for proper utensils washing

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

Damaged cooler doors gaskets at main prep kitchen. Instructed to replace 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

No food handlers certificate for kitchen staff, instructed to obtain.

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, Jan 16, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 12, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING COLD TCS FOODS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS APPROXIMATELY 40 LBS RICE AND 25 LBS BEEF STORED INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER RANGING BETWEEN 55.5-59.0F, APPROXIMATELY 2.5 LBS CHOPPED TOMATOES, 2.5 LBS PORK, 2LBS BEEF ALL STORED INSIDE COLD HOLD UNIT LOCATED IN PREP AREA RANGING BETWEEN 49.0F-51F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME.

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 29Other

Official wording

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MEXICAN SAUSAGE HANGING ON METAL RACK LOCATED IN MEAT PREP AREA DURING TIME OF INSPECTION AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. NO APPROVED PROCESS PROVIDED AT THIS TIME AS REQUIRED BY CDPH. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR TCS FOODS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCRDED AT THIS TIME.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 32Other

Official wording

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MEXICAN SAUSAGE ON SITE AIR DRYING IN PREP AREA WITHOUT HACCP OR VARIANCE AS REQUIRED BY CODE. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WAS DISCARDED AT THE CLOSE OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION INFORMATION.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETER INSIDE WALK IN COOLER CONTAINING DIARY (MILK). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE,

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AS REQUIRED.

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, Jun 12, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Oct 30, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 30, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 4, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE FRONT OF THE DELI CASE WITH TORTILLA SHELLS ON TOP. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

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 MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANELS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA NEAR THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE MISSING CEILING TILES.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, WALK-IN FREEZER, AND THE COOLERS WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 4, 2024 · Original Source