Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Cocina De Don Ramon

Name: La Cocina De Don Ramon
Address: 4208 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

4208 N Milwaukee Ave

Last inspected Apr 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when La Cocina De Don Ramon 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

5 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 8, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS THAWING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ON THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.

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

OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. 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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED 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.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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, Apr 8, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 31, 2026

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER SUCH AS 30LBS OF RICE AT 60.2F-68.5F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 30LBS AT $50. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

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

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)

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

OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED 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.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT TRASH MUST BE STORED INSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLES SO THAT THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO INSECTS AND RODENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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 SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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, Mar 31, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 4, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED FOR USE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE FACILITY: BASEMENT AREA, KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO BOTH HANDWASHING SINKS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. 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

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LIVE NON-SERVICE DOG ON PREMISES IN FRONT CUSTOMER DINING AREA NEXT TO SERVER PREP AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE TO PROHIBIT ALL LIVE NON-SERVICE ANIMALS (OR ANIMALS NOT OTHERWISE APPROVED FOR FOOD SERVICE FACILITIES BY THE DEPARTMENT) FROM ENTERING THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING NON-FOOD AREAS SUCH AS CUSTOMER SEATING AREAS/DINING ROOMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE ESCORTED NON-SERVICE ANIMAL AND OWNER OFF-PREMISES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-40-060 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

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

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING FIXTURES TO BE IN POOR REPAIR: BASEMENT AREA HANDWASHING SINK FAUCET OBSERVED TO HAVE SMALL LEAK BUT FUNCTIONAL, BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON BASEMENT AREA UTILITY SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LISTED PLUMBING FIXTURES AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES 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 problems

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

License

May 20, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE 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 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO KEEP AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE IS MADE AWARE BY THEIR EMPLOYEES INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS (2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, OVEN, STANDING MIXERS) BEING STORED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONE BURNTOUT LIGHTBULB UNDERNEATH THE HOODED VENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE CERTIFIED FOOD CERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL CERITIFED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS RECEIVE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERIFICATE AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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, May 20, 2024 · Original Source

License