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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Malinche Coffee House LLC

2110 S Halsted St

Last inspected Jul 28, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

Jul 28, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 8Handwashing

Official wording

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WASHING HANDS AFTER CONTAMINATING HANDS. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS DOING THE FOLLOWING WITHOUT WASHING THEIR HANDS AFTERWARDS: CAME FROM OUTSIDE INTO THE PREP AREA AND STARTED HANDLING BEVERAGE UTENSILS TO SET UP THE COFFEE MACHINE, KILL A FLY, PICKED UP THE FLY WITH A NAPKIN, AND PUT ON A HAIR NET. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER CHANGING TASKS. EMPLOYEES WERE INSTRUCTED TO WASH THEIR HANDS AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, 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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES FOR TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE A REFRIGERATOR (51.2F). FOUND: PORTIONS OF SALMON IN ALUMINUM FOIL, CHORIZO (48.6F), SOY MILK (52.0F), ABOUT 4 GALLONS OF REDUCED FAT MILK (50.2F-52.5F), SOY MILK (52.0), PORK COOKED THE NIGHT BEFORE THE DAY OF INSPECTION (69.4F), WHIPPED CREAM (48.1F), AND HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM (48.0F). INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING FOODS MUST REACH AND MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 23 LBS AT $115 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. 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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF REFRIGERATORS AT 45.8F AND 53.2F. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PLEASE READ COMMENTS FOR TAG REMOVAL PROCEDURE. 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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER STORED INSIDE A PREP COOLER AND A REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINER NOT LABELED ON SHELF UNDER PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO 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.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A PLASTIC CUP STORED INSIDE THE FLOUR CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO TRANSFER DRY FOOD ITEMS.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 28, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 25, 2025

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN IN THE NORTH TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 15 RODENT DROPPINGS UNDER THE TABLE WITH THE FLAT TOP GRILL AND PANINI PRESS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS, SUCH AS A CAP OR A HAIR NET. 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 46Other

Official wording

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

Inspector’s notes

3-304.15 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT KNOWING WHEN TO CHANGE GLOVES. INSTRUCTED TO RE-VISIT PROPER GLOVE USE WITH ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.

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

6-501.114 OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY CLUTTER AND ORGANIZE.

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

8-304.11(A) OBSERVED MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY NOT POSTED FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW. INSTRUCTED ALWAYS TO POST THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-010(B).

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, Apr 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 4, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-304.11 OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION ON SITE FOR THE COOKING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A SMALL FLAT TOP GRILL, A CREPE FLAT TOP GRILL AND A PANINI PRESS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION FOR ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED A SLOW-DRAINING HAND-WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ALONG THE WALL BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UNDER THE REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 4, 2024 · Original Source

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