Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Lagartija

Name: La Lagartija
Address: 132 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

132 S Ashland Ave

Last inspected Aug 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Canvass

Aug 6, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

HANDWASH SINKS IN BOTH PREP AREAS NOT ACESSIBLE. HANDWASH SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA BLOCKED BY LARGE COOLER. HANDWASH SINK IN REAR PREP/WAREWASHING AREA WITH EQUIPMENT IN BASIN OF SINK AND MOP BUCKETS IN FRONT OF SINK. INSTD TO HAVE HANDWASH SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. COOLER AND EQUIPMENT IN BASIN WERE MOVED DURING INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).

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

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

SMALL BOWLS BEING USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS AND SUBMERGED IN CONTAINERS OF FOOD (STEAK, PORK, SOUP). INSTD TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE PROPER DISPENSING UTENSILS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION 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, Aug 6, 2026 · Original Source

License

Mar 24, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 24, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 24, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 24, 2025 · Original Source

License

Mar 18, 2025

Fail

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 18, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 18, 2025

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 20 LBS OF COOKED STEAK AT 51.5F AND 5LBS OF PORK AT 51.7F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 25LBS AT $200.ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

"OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU PRESENTED FOR ALL ANIMAL FOOD PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (EX: SUNNY SIDE EGGS, STEAKS, AND SERVICE). THE FACILITY HAS USED ELECTRONIC MENUS DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS AND HAS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY ON ALL MENUS (PRINT AND ELECTRONIC). (REFER TO CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE ON THE CDPH WEBSITE - LINK BELOW) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 "NO CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (FLOUR, BEANS, PEPPERS, AND SUGAR). THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES.

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, Mar 18, 2025 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Aug 9, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 9, 2024 · Original Source

License

May 14, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE. ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED ILLINOIS EXTERMINATOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE INSECT AND VERMIN SERVICES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. A LOG BOOK SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY’S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC (IDPH) HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR NEW 1006 LICENSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C).

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COMMERCIAL GARBAGE PICK UP FOR THE NEW 1006 LICENSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B).

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, May 14, 2024 · Original Source