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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Zocalo

1438 W Chicago Ave

Last inspected Aug 27, 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 Re-Inspection

Aug 27, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B) UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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

4-602.13 OBSERVED INTERNAL SURFACES OF COOLING UNIT IN BAR AND UPRIGHT COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SURFACES 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 SPACE BEHIND BLACK CURTAINS USED FOR DRY STORAGE WITH ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.

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

2-102.13 INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 20, 2026

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE PREPARING DICED TOMATOES, CHORIZO, EGGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE CFM WHILE OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #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
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INTERNAL SURFACES OF ICE BIN WITH PATCHES OF MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE MACHINE WHERE ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS STORED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FOOR CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. 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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED INTERNAL SURFACES OF COOLING UNIT IN BAR AND UPRIGHT COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SURFACES 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 SPACE BEHIND BLACK CURTAINS USED FOR DRY STORAGE WITH ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.

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

INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 20, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Oct 16, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-204.12 Unable to locate backflow prevention for the bar ice maker, instructed to install

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 16, 2025 · Original Source

License

Sep 25, 2025

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

Broken hot water knob at bar hand wash sink, Instructed to repair.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

No sanitizer available in facility for dish washing facility, Instructed to obtain.

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

No certified food service manager certificate. Instructed to obtain.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

Interior surfaces of ice maker not clean, black film noted, 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

Unable to locate backflow prevention for bar ice maker, instructed to install.

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

No allergen training 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 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

No vomit clean up kit, Instructed to obtain.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 25, 2025 · Original Source

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