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HIGH RISK

CAFE EL TAPATIO

3400-3402 N ASHLAND AVE, Chicago, IL 60657

This restaurant has significant health inspection issues.

Multiple critical violations were found during recent inspections. Exercise caution.

SafeScore

51/100

Inspections

4

Last Inspected

May 2025

Critical

0

Analysis

Violation Breakdown

22 total

contamination
1045%
facility
418%
pest
29%
other
29%
temperature
29%
hygiene
15%

Case History

Inspection Timeline

MinorHygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN FOOD PREP AREAS/DISHWASHING AREA, INSIDE CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN.

Code 10

MinorPest

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN THE UPRIGHT REFRIGERATOR WHERE RED SAUCE IS STORED. MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN.

Code 36

MinorOther

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA.

Code 43

MinorOther

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.

Code 53

MinorPest

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR OF BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBOAGE.

Code 55

MinorContamination

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ICE NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURIND STORAGE. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF BLACK AND PINK SUBSTANCE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. MACHINE WAS CLEAN AND SANITIZE DUSRING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Code 16

MinorContamination

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF FOOD STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST ELEVATE CONTAINERS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Code 39

MinorContamination

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED 1-DOOR PREP COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER DOOR GASKETS. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD OR TIN FLOIL AS A LINER FOR SHELVING OR COOKING EQUIPMENT ALL MUST BE SMOOTHAND CLEANABLE.

Code 47

MinorContamination

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS A FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE CHEST FREEZERS. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Code 47

MinorContamination

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE MEAT CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.

Code 49

MinorContamination

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE TINT FOIL AS A LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREPARATION AREA. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Code 49

MinorChemical

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS LOCATED IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING ABOVE ICE MACHINE AND ABOVE CHEST FREEZERS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Code 55

MinorFacility

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGIND IN FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

Code 56

Data may be outdated

The last inspection on record is from May 2025332 days ago. Newer data may not yet be available from this jurisdiction.

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Data sourced from public health inspection records. SafeScore is computed from inspection results, violation severity, trends, and consistency. All data is public record. Last updated based on jurisdiction reporting schedules.