Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Mariscos El Oceano

Name: Mariscos El Oceano
Address: 5960 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL

5960 S Archer Ave

Last inspected Aug 12, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass

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

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Aug 12, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPEN STICKY FLY TRAP IN REAR HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REQUEST INSECT CONTROL DEVICE FROM LICENSED PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND DOOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BAR. 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CERAMIC CUPS AND PITCHERS ON SITE IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION FOR CUPS NOT BEARING LEAD FREE STAMP AND MAINTAIN ON PREMISES FOR REVIEW.

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 GASKETS ON PREP COOLER DOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING. 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP ON FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN 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, Aug 12, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 12, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

NO HANDWASH CLEANSER AT HANDWASH SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. SOAP WAS PROVIDED 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

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ON WALK IN COOLER FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES ON PROPER SHELVING 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 PREP AREA WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RETRAINT 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE HEAVILY STAINED. INSTD TO REMOVE STAINS AND MAINTAIN 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

LEAK AT PIPE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN MISSING PROPER STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, USING FOIL. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. 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 12, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

May 13, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-307.11 OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

2-102.14 OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION 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

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

2-101.11 NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES AS WELL AS CERTIFIED MANAGER TO WHICH CERTIFICATE BELONGS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 13, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

May 6, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BUILD-UP OF PINK AND BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE COVERING THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO STORED ICE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD ALL ICE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. 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 problems

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 14Food source and labeling

Official wording

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SHELLSTOCK TAG ATTACHED TO CONTAINER OF FRESH OYSTERS, LOCATED IN WALK-IN COOLER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT SHELLFISH SHELLSTOCK TAG MUST REMAIN ATTACHED TO CONTAINER UNTIL CONTAINER IS EMPTY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROVAL SOURCES OF SHELLFISH AND MAINTAIN TAGS FOR 90 DAYS ON PREMISES. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 20LB AT A VALUE OF $40. 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2024 · Original Source