License Re-Inspection
May 18, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 18, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Mercadito Lincoln Park
2421-2423 N Lincoln Ave
Last inspected May 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Mercadito Lincoln Park 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
5 inspectionsLicense Re-Inspection
May 14, 2026
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-602.13--- ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING AT THE BAR MUST BE SEALED TO BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.
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 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
3-307.11--- MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND THE CLEAN GLASS DRYING RACK.
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 contaminationnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-201.11-- ALL OPENINGS/CRACKS/CREVICES AROUND PIPING AT THE MOP SINK MUST BE SEALED.
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, May 14, 2026 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
May 12, 2026
Fail
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 12, 2026 · Original Source
License
May 12, 2026
Fail
10 recorded violations
notedCode 5Other
Official wording
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
Inspector’s notes
NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMIT / DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK AT THE COOKS LINE IN THE PREP AREA WHEREAS THE FOOD HANDLERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
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 problemsnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
BOTH DISHWASHING MACHINES NOT FUNCTIONAL/SET UP WITH CHEMICALS. MUST INSTALL TO BE PROPERLY OPERATING. 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 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND THE CLEAN GLASS DRYING RACK.
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 contaminationnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE REAR DINING ROOM STORAGE CLOSET 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
INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL PLASTIC ON ALL METAL SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND BAR SHELVING/DISH MACHINE.
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 50Other
Official wording
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
Inspector’s notes
NO HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER AVAILABLE AT THE DISH ROOM HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED THE OUTSIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES OVERFLOWING WITH DEBRIS AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS/CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE SURROUNDING GROUNDS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-32-020(B).
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
ALL OPENINGS/CRACKS/CREVICES AROUND PIPING IN THE CEILING ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT THE MOP SINK MUST BE SEALED.----DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. 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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 12, 2026 · Original Source
License
Mar 18, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 18, 2026 · Original Source