GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Trailita

2639 S Damen Ave

Last inspected Jun 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass w/ Conditions

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when La Trailita has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

Jun 9, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SOAP AT THE ONLY HANDWASHING SINK IN THE PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH HANDWASHING SOAP AND MAINTAINED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C), 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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER STORED INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. 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 NO LABEL ON THE DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINER STORED ON THE LOWER SHELF NEAR THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. ISNTRUCTED TO LABEL 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 FOOD ITEMS NOT COVERED, WHILE NOT BEING PREPARED. FOUND THE FOLLOWING NOT COVERED: A BASKET OF FRIES, BOWL OF MASA, AND THE TOP LID OF THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO COVER ALL MENTIONED ITEMS 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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO SINK STOPPERS NEEDED FOR THE WAREWASHING SINK. THE WASH AND RINSE COMPARTMENTS, DRAIN HOLES WERE PLUGGED WITH PLASTIC BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SINK STOPPERS 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOORS SURROUNDING THE PREP COOLER, THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN MENTIONED FLOORS.

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, Jun 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 20, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

LOWER SURFACE OF THE OVEN WITH DIRT AND CHARRED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OVEN.

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

THE MIDDLE FAUCET HANDLE ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS FROM THE BASE WHEN TURNED ON. INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE LEAK AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

CFM ON SITE DOES NOT HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

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, Nov 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 14, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-501.12 CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114 MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, PROPERLY ELEVATE STOCK 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS FOR BETTER CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. INSTRUCTED TO 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-202.11 OBSERVED TWO BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINATIN.

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, Nov 14, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 27, 2023

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BEEF IMPROPERLY THAWING IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY THAW UNDER REFRIGERATION, COLD RUNNING WATER OR PART OF COOKING PROCESS.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLUTTER INSIDE PREP SINK AND UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS 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, Sep 27, 2023 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby