Grocery Store · Chicago, IL

La Palma Supermercado

Name: La Palma Supermercado
Address: 3927-3929 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL

3927-3929 W 63rd St

Last inspected May 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

4 inspections

Canvass

May 15, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE (ICE NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE 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

notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH OUT LABEL DESIGNATING EACH COMPARTMENT (WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD RESIDUE IN GASKETS OF COLD HOLD UNIT IN TAQUERIA AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE 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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK AT BOTTOM OF HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WALLS IN BASEMENT LOCKER ROOM AREA MISSING BASEBOARDS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN ENSURING BASE OF WALL IS ENCLOSED.

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, May 15, 2026 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Apr 11, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: LOOOSE FAUCET AT HANDWASH SINK IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTD 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 7, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

STOCK ON WALK IN FREEZER FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

MALE FOOD HANDLER IN MEAT PREP AREA WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN

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

LOOOSE FAUCET AT HANDWASH SINK IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTD 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 7, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 4, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDWASH SINKS IN MEAT/DELI PREP AREA AND REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL HANDWASH SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASH SINKS DURING INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

REAR DOUBLE DOOR NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOORS. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME SO AS TO BE TIGHT FITTING

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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

ICE MACHINE IMPROPERLY DRAINING INTO SINK. INSTD TO PROPERLY DRAIN (IE FLOOR DRAIN)

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

LIGHT OUT IN REAR BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR LIGHTING 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

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR BUTCHER. 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, Jun 4, 2024 · Original Source