Canvass
Jan 20, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 20, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
La Michoacana Howard
2357 W Howard St
Last inspected Jan 20, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Out of Business
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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsCanvass Re-Inspection
Jan 20, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 20, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 16, 2026
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE PREP SERVICE COOLER AND DOOR OF 3 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE KITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
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 problemsnotedCode 50Other
Official wording
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
Inspector’s notes
NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS AND BATHROOM SINKS. HOT WATER TEMPERATURES WERE AS FOLLOWS:-HAND WASH SINKS 91F/82.2F/82F. BATHROOM HAND WASH SINKS 58.5F/. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER OF ABOUT 100F MINIMUM FOR HAND WASH SINKS AND 110F FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C).CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 16, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jan 30, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 30, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 23, 2025
Fail
5 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
ALL BULK FOODS IN THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
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 problemsnotedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED PEELING PLASTIC ON METAL SURFACES OF THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK AND NACHO CHEESE HOT HOLDING UNIT.----MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED CRACKED, MISSING, DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND BASEBOARD COVING AT THE REAR EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST REPLACE.-----NOTED A HOLE IN THE WALL INSIDE THE MENS WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.
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 problemsnotedCode 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 1-29-24 REPORT #2588773 NOT CORRECTED. #16- OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL BLACK BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.#43- OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A SEPARATE CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.#47- OBSERVED MILK CRATES IN PLACE OF PROPER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVAL ALL CRATES AND PROVIDE PROPER ELEVATED SHELVES IN BACK OF REAR STORAGE AREA. #55-: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILE ON LEFT SIDE OF REAR PREP AREA ABOVE STORAGE SHELVES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 23, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 29, 2024
Pass
7 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MILK CRATES IN PLACE OF PROPER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVAL ALL CRATES AND PROVIDE PROPER ELEVATED SHELVES INSIDE THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN BACK OF REAR STORAGE 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS WITH FOOD DRIED DEBRIS IN REAR PREP/STORAGE AREA. 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WATER LEAK FROM THE PIPE UNDERNEATH HOT WATER TANK. 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
INSTRUCED TO REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILE ON LEFT SIDE OF REAR PREP AREA ABOVE STORAGE SHELVES.
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 problemsnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE IN WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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 problemsnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL BLACK BUILDUP. 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 problemsnotedCode 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A SEPARATE CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 29, 2024 · Original Source