Short Form Complaint
Apr 8, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 8, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
1901 W 79th St
Last inspected Apr 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 inspectionsCanvass
Jan 16, 2026
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE BASE OF THE 3 COMP SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR(LEAKS). MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DEBRIS IN THE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT BREEDING PLACE FOR PESTS.
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, Jan 16, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Feb 26, 2025
Pass
5 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HORCHATA STORED IN A REUSED VINEGAR BOTTLE INSIDE OF REACH IN COOLER MUST USE PROPER FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAIMINATION.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST REMOVE CALCIUM BUILD UP FROM HANDLES ON FAUCETS AT HAND SINKS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS.
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 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS IN MAIN PREP AREA.
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 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MISSING AND EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING MUST PROVIDE 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 issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE 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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 26, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Mar 1, 2024
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR PREP COOLER AND WALK IN FREEZER.
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 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
4-301.12 : OBSEVED A FEW OVERSIZED POTS AND LARGE PLASTIC BINS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE PROPERLY CLEAN AND SANITIZED.MUST PROVIDE SMALL POTS OR LARGE SINK IS NEEDED
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES, FRYER CABINETS,MEAT SLICER,WALK IN COOLER -FAN GUARD COVERS.
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, Mar 1, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Feb 23, 2024
Fail
11 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 15 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND MOP SINK AREA,ON CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA AND MOP SINK AREA AND CRAWLING ON DAMAGED ONIONS IN A BIN ON SHELVING UNIT. MUST REMOVE DAMAGED PRODUCE.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 2/23/24.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-0209A)(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 insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREZER MUST STORE OFF OF FLOOR TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.
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
MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
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 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM UNDERNEATH CHEMICAL STORED ON SHELVING UNIT.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF GRILL TABLE.
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 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FEMALE EMPLOYEE SANITIZING MULTI-USE UTENSILS AT 0.0 PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED HER TWICE USE A POT WITH SOAP IN FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT TO WASH 2- BOWLS AND THEN RINSE UNDER RUNNING WATER AND PROCEEDED TO USE BOWLS. INSTRUCTED AGAIN TO SET UP SINK TO PROPERLY WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS.(PRIORITY 7-38-025)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ,SHAKERS AND SQUEEZE BOTTLES WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 problemsnotedCode 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
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 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR OBSERVED 2- FAUCETS AT SAID SINK AND THE FAR LEFT HOT WATER FAUCET IS TRICKLING WATER AND FAR RIGHT TRICKLING COLD WATER AND A LOUD PIERCING SOUND AND FAUCETS SHAKING WHEN WATER IS TURNED ON NOT ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE TO FILL UP SINK TO SET UP SINK PROPERLY.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE A CLEAN CONTAINER TO DIVERT WATER TO FILL UP OTHER COMPARTMENTS PROPERLY.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES, FRYER CABINETS,MEAT SLICER,WALK IN COOLER -FAN GUARD COVERS.MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK IN FREEZER SHELVING UNITS.
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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCETS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA.
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, Feb 23, 2024 · Original Source