Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Costa

Name: La Costa
Address: 3119-3121 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL

3119-3121 N Central Ave

Last inspected May 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

May 4, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO LABEL ON FOOD OUT OF ORIGINAL PACKAGING SUCH AS SOY SAUCE, LIME JUICE AND HOT SAUCE. MUST PROVIDE COMMON NAME ON CONTAINER TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY.

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

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE BIN WHEN NOT IN USE. MUST STORE IN CLEAN DRY CONTAINER WHEN NOT IN USE.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PLATES, BOWLS AND UTENSILS STORED FACING UP. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ITEMS INVERTED.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR LOCATED IN KITCHEN 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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FROM LAST INSPECTION ON 4-16-2025 REPORT #2615868. INSTRUCTED TO POST RECENT SUMMARY REPORT VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 4, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 16, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE DRINKING OPEN CAN OF COCA COLA IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DRINK IN DESIGNATED AREA AWAY FROM FOOD PREP/ CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO SPRAY BOTTLES PREVIOUSLY USED FOR ALL-PURPOSE CLEANING NOW BEING USED TO STORE LIME JUICE AND SOY SAUCE. SPRAY BOTTLES WERE NOT LABELED AS "SOY SAUCE" OR "LIME JUICE". THE LABEL READS "ZEP CLEANER" WITH CHEMICALS LISTED ON THE BACK. A container previously used to store POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS may not be used to store, transport, or dispense FOOD. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OUTSIDE OIL TANK HAS GREASE SPILLS ON FRONT AND SIDES OF CONTAINER. MUST 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HEAVY DUST ON FAN HANGING ABOVE MAIN PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

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, Apr 16, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 7, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE BELOW 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LEFT SIDE IN MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST 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

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PINK AND BLACK SLIME BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE IN MAIN PREP AREA. MUST 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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN PLATES FACING UP. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLEAN PLATES INVERTED.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PERSONAL COFFEE CUP STORED IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PERSONAL ITEMS AWAY FROM 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.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2024 · Original Source