Chicago
66
YOUR CALL

5411 Empanadas

2045 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Logan Square · Restaurant · High risk
YOUR CALL
66/100

Passed most recently but 4 prior failures on record

Inspections
15
8 passed
Last Inspected
2026-03-25
Pass Rate
53%
4 failures
Score
66/100
YOUR CALL
5 consecutive passes, most recently 2026-03-25
Failed 4 inspections (2023, 2022, 2019...)
Documentation & Training issues found across 8 inspections
Employee Hygiene issues found across 7 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
Advertisement · 300×250
🧽
Sanitation serious 11×
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📌
Other critical
🌡
Food Temperature critical
Chemical Safety minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
2026-03-25 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
4
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-602.11 OBSERVED SAUCE WITHOUT INGREDIENT LABELS IN PREP COOLER LOCATED NEAR OVEN, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114 OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER STORED ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT HIDING SPACE FOR PEST

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW

2026-01-09 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
6
serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS STORED INSIDE COOLING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT OF PREP AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES.... GALLON OF WHOLE MILK, 2 OPENED QUARTS OF CREAMER AND ALMOND MILK, ONE QUART OAT MILK, ALL RANGING BETWEEN 55-58F DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. ...

minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED COOLING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT OF PREP AREA @ 50F WHILE STORING VARIETY MILK AND DAIRY CREAMER. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE OF COOLER, REPAIR TO PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW, AND MAINTAIN. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORIT...

minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED SAUCE WITHOUT INGREDIENT LABELS IN PREP COOLER LOCATED NEAR OVEN, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER STORED ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT HIDING SPACE FOR PEST.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

2025-04-28 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 2
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT SINK AT COFFEE STATION.MUST PROVIDE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

2024-08-29 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 2
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS.MUST PROVIDE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

2023-05-30 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2023-05-23 Fail Canvass
2
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED BLACK DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.

minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

ONE LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT IN WOMENS WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING LIGHT BULB.

2022-03-23 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
1
minor Other

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

8-304.11(A) THE PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 3/16/22 WAS NOT POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW. PREMISES HAD AN INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 2019 POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INST...

2022-03-16 Fail Canvass
4
minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.

minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GARBAGE BEHIND AND UNDER THE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS AND GREASE DUMPSTER. ALSO OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE ON THE TOP AND SIDES OF THE GREASE DUMPSTER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE GAR...

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

2019-07-29 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
3
minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE ICE MACHINE, COFFEE ESPRESSO MACHINE IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BLACK MOLD ON WALLS IN BASEMENT. REFER TO BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WET FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT ALSO OBSERVED STANDING WATER. MUST MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PEST BREADING.

2019-07-22 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 9
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Employee Hygiene

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PRECEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS GLOVES, MASKS AND DISPOSABLE MOPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE SANITIZER. PRIO...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT THE HAND WASHING SINK. PERSON IN CHARGE PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITAT...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL IN PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE HOUSE FLIES ON WALLS AND CEILING ON HALLWAY STAIRS LEADING TO BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND WHENEVER NEEDED. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE...

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTS STORED ON TOP OF EQUIPMENT IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORED WIPING CLOTS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE ON PREMISES TO MEASURE THE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-005(A)

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE ICE MACHINE, COFFEE ESPRESSO MACHINE IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BLACK MOLD ON WALLS IN BASEMENT. REFER TO BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WET FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT ALSO OBSERVED STANDING WATER. MUST MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PEST BREADING.

2017-10-17 Pass Canvass
1
minor Employee Hygiene

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREPARATION AREA DRAINING SLOW MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

2016-08-08 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

NOTED TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE PREP AREA TO BE 57.7F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 40F AND BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-005(A)

critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT TO BE IMPROPER BETWEEN 51F TO 58F :-ASSORTED BRANDS OF EMPANADAS(BEEF(5.60LBS),MALBEC BEEF 51.2F(5.08F) BBQ CHICKEN (5.08LBS), HAM AND CHEESE ...

serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED (EMPANADAS). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. ...

2015-08-27 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DUST ON VENTILATION COVERS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Employee Hygiene

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE FRONT PREP AREA IS DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ITEMS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT NOT ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS, RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

2014-07-22 Pass License Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2014-06-18 Fail License
CRITICAL 8
critical Other

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

MUST PROVIDE A EXPOSE HAND SINK IN THE MIXING PREP ROOM.

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

NOTED FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT ENTRY POINT FOR PEST.

minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD AT THE EXPOSE HAND SINK AT THE BAR.

minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN THE HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE.

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOORS IN THE BAKING ROOM AT THE WINDOW MUST BE SEAL FOR EASY CLEANING.

minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST REPLACE MIDDLE LIGHT ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

NOTED TOILET ROOM DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER.

100
Popeyes
100
Sabor Latino #2
77
Cafe Con Leche Bucktown, Inc.
74
Latin American Motorcycle Association
40
Son of a Butcher Tavern

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.