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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Esperanza Restaurant

1864 S Blue Island Ave

Last inspected Feb 2, 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

3 inspections

Canvass

Feb 2, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

HOOD FILTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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, Feb 2, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 25, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD GUARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13 OBSERVED COOKED RICE BEING STORED IN GROCERY BAGS LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE BAGS ONLY.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 27, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-307.11 OBSERVED TORTILLA CHIP CONTAINERS BEING STACKED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT PROTECTION BETWEEN EACH SERVING. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE WAX PAPER SHEETS IN BETWEEN EACH CONTAINER OF TORTILLA CHIPS AND ON THE TOP OF THE TORTILLA CHIPS IN ORDER TO PROTECT FROM ANY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. THE MANAGER CORRECTED DURING THE INSPECTION.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A MINOR BROWNISH SUBSTANCE LOCATED ON THE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

4-603.15 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING THE LARGE POTS THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 4-COMPARTMENT AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON THE PROCEDURE OF WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING LARGE EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE LARGE EQUIPMENT OR PROVIDE A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK THAT HAS COMPARTMENTS LARGE ENOUGH TO FIT THE LARGE EQUIPMENT.

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 27, 2024 · Original Source

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