Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Pancho Pistolas Mexican Restaurant

Name: Pancho Pistolas Mexican Restaurant
Address: 700 W 31st St, Chicago, IL

700 W 31st St

Last inspected Jan 8, 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

5 inspections

Canvass

Jan 8, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR SURFACES AND BOTTOM OF THE FRYER IN NEED OF CLEANING; 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER COOKING AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

SOME CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MAANAGERS DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

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, Jan 8, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 23, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C): OBSERVED UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DEBRIS BUILD UP. 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114: OBSERVED BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES BEING USED THROUGHOUT REAR FOOD PREP AREA ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AND UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. 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

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: OBSERVED ALL OF THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES IN SITE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND MAINTAIN.

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, Jan 23, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 14, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINES IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE MACHINES ARE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DEBRIS BUILD UP. 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES BEING USED THROUGHOUT REAR FOOD PREP AREA ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AND UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. 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

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ALL OF THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES IN SITE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND MAINTAIN.

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, Jan 14, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 6, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SHELVES IN WALK IN COOLER IN REAR MAIN FLOOR WITH RUST BUILDING UP ON THE METAL SHELVING UNITS. ISNTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

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 DUST, DIRT, SPILLAGE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD SERVICE AREA FRONT AND REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT HARBORING IN 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE COMING FROM THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSYEM AND FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF ANY FOODS AND FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.

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, May 6, 2024 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Oct 3, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SPILLAGE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIORS OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 3, 2023 · Original Source