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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Los Comales #3

1544 W 18th St

Last inspected Jun 17, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Jun 17, 2026

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

HANDWASHING SINK IN EMPLOYEE BATHROOM AND CUSTOMER HANDWASHING SINK IN NEED OF BETTER (MORE) WATER PRESSURE. INSTRUCTED 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 problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

LARGE BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF PROPER LABELING INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 17, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 28, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-305.11 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE ITEMS STORED UNDER A SEWER PIPE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND DO NOT STORE ITEMS UNDER SEWER PIPES.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A FLOOR LINER UNDER THE RUBBER MATS BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD, ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 OBSERVED INTERIOR OF FRYER WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS AND THE PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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, Mar 28, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 2, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19 OBSERVED AN EXPOSED CONCRETE WALL SURFACE ON THE WALL LOCATED BY THE HAND WASHING AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL CONCRETE WALL TO MAKE SAID SURFACE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NONABSORBENT.

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, Oct 2, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 25, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

7-202.12(C) OBSERVED TOXIC PESTICIDES (2 CANS OF RAID AND 1 CAN OF INSECT FOG) BEING STORED UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, UNDER A PREP TABLE, AND ON A SHELF IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ONLY ALLOW PEST CONTROL TO APPLY PESTICIDES. THE MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-015.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 100 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE PIPES/CEILING OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA AND ABOUT 50 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE CEILING AND WALLS OF THE CUSTOMER DINING/JUICING PREP AREA ON THE 1ST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE SMALL FLIES ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19 OBSERVED AN EXPOSED CONCRETE WALL SURFACE ON THE WALL LOCATED BY THE HAND WASHING AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL CONCRETE WALL TO MAKE SAID SURFACE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NONABSORBENT.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13 OBSERVED BLACK PLASTIC BAGS BEING USED TO COVER THE HOT HOLDING UNITS (WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE) AT THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 25, 2024 · Original Source

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