Canvass
Sep 17, 2025
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 17, 2025 · Original Source
Restaurant/Grocery Store · Chicago, IL
La Unica Food Mart, Inc.
1515 W Devon Ave
Last inspected Sep 17, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when La Unica Food Mart, Inc. has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
3 inspectionsCanvass Re-Inspection
Oct 23, 2024
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-201.11--- BROKEN FLOOR TILE UNDER THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPLACE 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-101.19--- MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR ALL STORED ITEMS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 23, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Oct 16, 2024
Fail
20 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR ALL STORED ITEMS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING.
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 1Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector’s notes
THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. SEE VIOLATION #2 FOR CITATION.
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 issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
NO PERSON ON SITE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS BEEF ON THE STOVE TOP AT 186.6F WAS BEING PREPARED AND NO VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 15Other
Official wording
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED INSIDE THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER OPEN CONTAINER OF RAW EGGS BEING STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE OPEN/UNCOVERED FRESH CILANTRO AND RAW CHICKEN ON SHELVING DIRECTLY ABOVE CHOPPED ONIONS. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD PROTECTION OF STORING RAW ANIMAL ORIGIN FOODS WITH PREPARED AND FRESH RTE FOODS. ALL DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SET TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE, POTS AND UTENSILS BEING WASHED AT THE TIME WITH NO SANITIZER IN THE THIRD SANITIZING COMPARTMENT. 0 PPM CHLORINE NOTED. CHEF OBTAINED A BOTTLE OF CHLORINE FROM THE GROCERY SECTION AND CORRECTED. REVIEWED, SANITIZER MUST BE USED AT ALL TIMES WHILE DISHES ARE BEING WASHED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
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 19Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER REHEATING PROCEDURES FOR HOT HOLDING
Inspector’s notes
NOTED IMPROPER REHEATING OF BLACK BEANS INSIDE THE HOT HOLDING UNIT. BEANS NOTED RANGING IN TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 103F AND 107.9F. REVIEWED ALL FOODS REHEATED FOR HOT HOLDING MUST BE RAPIDLY REHEATED TO 165 F OR ABOVE BEFORE HOLDING HOT IN THE STEAM TABLE. PRIORITY VIOLATION SEE VIOLATION #22 FOR CITATION.
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 temperaturenotedCode 20Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COOLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE
Inspector’s notes
NOTED IMPROPER COOLING OF TCS COOKED POTATOES INSIDE THE BUTCHER AREA WALK-IN COOLER. NOTED A LARGE, DEEP METAL POT, TIGHTLY COVERED WITH COOKED POTATOES AT 148.4F. REVIEWED PROPER COOLING METHODS, TIME AND TEMPERATURE OF COOLING TCS FOODS WITH 2 HOURS TO OBTAIN A TEMPERATURE OF 70F THEN AN ADDITIONAL 4 HOURS TO 40F IN SHALLOW PANS, LOOSELY COVERED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 SEE VIOLATION #22 FOR CITATION.
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 temperaturenotedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS PREPARED FOODS HELD IN TWO SEPARATE KITCHEN COOLERS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. COOKED CHICKEN AT 61.7F AND 59.9F INSIDE THE TALL REACH-N COOLER. CHIHUAHUA SOFT CHEESE AT 59.3F AND SLICED TOMATOES AT 56.3F IN THE COOKS LINE ONE DOOR COOLER. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 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 temperaturenotedCode 23Food source and labeling
Official wording
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS PREPARED FOODS HELD OVER NIGHT NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AND EXPIRATION DATE. NO DATES OF ANY KING ON PREPARED FOODS IE: COOKED PORK IN THE BUTCHER AREA WALK-IN COOLER, COOKED BEEF, COOKED CHICKEN, OTHER ASSORTED COOKED MEATS ALL IN THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
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 33Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s notes
NOTED THE THE COOKS LINE ONE DOOR COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE WITH COOLER AT 62F AND CHIHUAHUA SOFT CHEESE AT 59.3F AND SLICED TOMATOES AT 56.3F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION OF COOLER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 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 temperaturenotedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
ALL BULK FOODS 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 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED IN-USE COOKS LINE UTENSILS BEING STORED IN A CONTAINER OF ICE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CO-MINGLING UTENSILS IN HOT WATER, MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 135F OR STORE ON/IN A CLEAN SURFACE/CONTAINER AND WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AS NEED OR EVERY 4 HOURS.
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 issuesnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT ALL AREAS MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
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 issuesnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED EXCESSIVE ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE STOVE TOP IN THE KITCHEN.----FOOD AND RUST ENCRUSTED METAL RACK SHELVING INSIDE THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER AND THROUGHOUT THE METAL RACK SHELVING INSIDE THE BUTCHER AREA WALK-IN COOLER.----NOTED DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE VARIOUS PREP AREAS.----NOTED DIRTY DRY FOODS STORAGE SHELVING THROUGHOUT VARIOUS FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED TWO BUCKETS OF ACCUMULATED WASTE WATER FROM A BASEMENT WASTE WATER PIPE AND FRONT PREP ESPRESSO DRAINAGE SYSTEM. MUST REMOVE ALL WASTE DAILY TO PREVENT FLY INFESTATION.
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 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TWO OUTSIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES WITH OVERFLOWING FOOD DEBRIS GARBAGE, USED FOOD BOXES ON THE SURROUNDING GROUNDS AND UNABLE TO CLOSE THE LIDS ON CONTAINERS TO BE TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OVERFLOWING DEBRIS, DEBRIS FROM THE GROUNDS AND PROVIDE TIGHT FITTING LIDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
BROKEN FLOOR TILE UNDER THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----NOTED EXCESSIVE FOOD SPLATTER ON THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE KITCHEN STOVE. MUST 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 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES OR TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
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 issuesnotedCode 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2581694 ON 9-14-23 NOT CORRECTED. #37-- ALL PRE-PACKAGED FOODS AND PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED FOODS SUCH AS RICE PUDDING INSIDE COOLERS AND FREEZERS, MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME, LIST OF INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, AND ADDRESS.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, Oct 16, 2024 · Original Source