Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Los Alamos

Name: Los Alamos
Address: 2157 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL

2157 S Damen Ave

Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

6 inspections

Canvass

Aug 24, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD ITEMS STORED IN COLD HOLDING UNITS ON SITE. FOUND INSIDE PREP COOLER: COOKED BEEF (72.3F), ABOUT 16 EGGS (62.3F), CHORIZO (55.4F). FOUND INSIDE REFRIGERATOR: COOKED BEEF (55.6F), PORK (56.0F). INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING FOODS MUST BE 41F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 18LBS AT $135 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 TWO COLD HOLDING UNITS NOT MEEITNG COMPLIANCE WITH THE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT. ONE PREP COOLER FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 56.8F AND REFRIGERATOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 54.3F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST REACH AND MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. UNITS TAGGED AND MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL REPAIRED AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PLEASE SEE TAG REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS IN COMMENTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO SINK STOPPERS MISSING FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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 CARDBOARD BOXES BEING USED ON SHELVES UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE 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, Aug 24, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 13, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 13, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 26, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

BOWL USED TO GET THE RICE IS STORE INSIDE THE CONTAINER OF RICE IN THE REACH IN COOLER IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BOWL, USE A UTENSIL AND NOT LEAVE IT INSIDE THE RICE. MAINTAIN SAME.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

CUTTING BOARDS IN THE PREP AREAS WITH STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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

FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

PREP AREA NOT BRIGHT PER CITY CODE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 31, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE WALL BEHIND THE DOOR OF THE MENS RESTROOM WITH TAPPED PLASTIC COVERING (WALL DAMANGED) INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAKE EASY 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE UNDER THE HOOD VENTILATION SYTEM AND FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES BELOW.

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, Oct 31, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 12, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 12, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 27, 2023

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OVER 60 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR BEHIND COOLER AND CHEST FREEZER IN REAR STORAGE AREA, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS IN FURNACE ROOM, ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HAND WASHING SINK IN WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 MISSING CELING TILE IN DINING AREA, DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA, OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS IN PREP AREA, OPENINGS IN FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE CEILING TILES AND SEAL ALL OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS AND FLOOR IN ALL AREAS.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST BE PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 27, 2023 · Original Source