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
Mar 28, 2025
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN TAQUERIA AND KITCHEN AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
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.
OBSERVED LEAK ON MILK DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED INADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARMENT SINK IN JUICE BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS 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.
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENTS IN TAQUERIA, UPPER WALLS AND UTENSIL HANGING RACKS IN KITCHEN, AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS BEHIND REACH-IN COOLER IN KITCHEN. 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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 28, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Feb 7, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 7, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 30, 2024
Fail
9 recorded violations
notedCode 33Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED REACH-IN COOLER IN JUICE PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 49.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. PREP COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.
OBSERVED OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR IN REAR SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. 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.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS AND UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
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.
OBSERVED POP CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN PREP 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.
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GRINDER, SLICER AND KNIFE RACK IN MEAT PREP AREA. 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.
OBSERVED OPENINGS IN CEILING IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS IN CEILING AND MAITAIN.
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.
OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN REACH-IN COOLER MILK 47.4F, SLICED MELON 48.8F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 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.
OBSERVED LEAKING STOPPER UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN MEAT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
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.
OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES, CRATES AND EQUIPMENT IN OUTSIDE REFUSE ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 30, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Oct 27, 2023
Pass w/ Conditions
15 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HAND DRYING DEVICE ABOVE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN MEAT DEPT. MUST PLACE NEAR HAND WASHING SINK 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.
OBSERVED MULTI-USE UTENSILS BEING SANITIZED AT 0.0 PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINKS IN TAQUERIA AND MEAT DEPT .OBSERVED A BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER IN MIDDLE COMPARTMENT AND RINSED WITH RUNNING WATER AND PLACED ON DRAINBOARD TO DRY WITHOUT SANITIZING UTENSIL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON HOW TO SET -UP SINK PROPERLY.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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.
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 4LBS. RAW CHICKEN AT 47.5F IN A COOLER. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX. 4LBS. $22.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)(COS)
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.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF CORN CART AT 128.1F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE.A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNIT.ONCE REPAIRED EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(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.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN DAIRY WALK IN COOLER MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CROSS 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.
MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN 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.
MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD SHELVING UNITS IN CHEMICAL CLOSET IN TAQUERIA AREA.MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN TAQUERIA,MAIN PREP AREA AND CORN PREP 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.
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET HANDLES AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN TAQUERIA.
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.
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS 3LBS. COOKED PORK-117.5F,10LBS. COOKED CUT & WHOLE CORN ON COB AND CUPS 127.4F-129.2F. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER. MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.(APPX.13LBS. $110.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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.
OBSERVED RE-PACKAGED SNACKS FOR SALE WITHOUT PROPER LABELS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM STEAM TABLE, GRILL TABLES.DAIRY WALK IN COOLER- COMPRESSOR UNIT AND FAN GUARD COVERS.
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.
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES ON SALES FLOOR NEAR PRODUCE AREA AND TAQUERIA.
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.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN TAQUERIA PREP AREA.
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.