SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

ANTOJITOS GUATEMALTECOS.

BEAT. 43/100

5536 N ELSTON AVE · JEFFERSON PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected March 4, 2026 · passed

Failed 2 of 5 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
5
2 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
35
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
2 YEARS
since Mar 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 4
2026
PASSED
0 violations
FEB 23
2026
FAILED
14 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALOther
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE EATING ON FOOD SERVICE LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE FOOD EMPLOYEES EAT IN DESIGNATED AREAS.

SERIOUSSanitation
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

OBSERVED BOTTLE OF COMET CLEANER ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE TO AVOID ANY CROSS CONTAMINATION OF FOOD OR EQUIPMENT. MANAGER MOVED CHEMICAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

OBSERVED MEAT BEING THAWED IN SINK WITH NO RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO THAW IN PREP SINK UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR IN COOLER.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FOOD NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL BULK CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS NAME.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF AT LEAST 2 PEST CONTROL SERVICES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. NO SERVICE REPORTS IN LOG BOOK, MANAGER UNABLE TO PROVDE REPORTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR 1 YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD STORED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE. OBSERVED ONIONS STORED NEXT TO GARBAGE CAN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MOVE GARBAGE CAN. OBSERVED UTILITY SINK NEAR PREP AREA WITH NO SPLASH GUARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS AT UTILITY SINK.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH STAINS AND DEEP SCRATCHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF COOLER WITH RUST BUILD UP ON RACKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FREE OF RUST.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS/FREEZERS WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED SHELVING AND COUNTER TOPS WITH SOIL AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

CRITICALPlumbing & Waste
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL FROM KITCHEN FLOOR DRAIN AND IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN USING HAND SINK, WASTE WATER FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN IN KITCHEN BACKS UP ONTO FLOOR. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, GREASE TRAP LEAKS AND WATER IS DISPOSED TO ANOTHER COMPARTMENT BEFORE GOING DOWN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL WASTE WATER ISSUES. ALL SINKS MUST DRAIN WITHOUT BACK-UPS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT FACILITY WITH SOIL AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING ROOM, MUST REPAIR ANY LEAKS AND REPLACE CEILING TILES. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE TRAP WITH HEAVY SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN. OBSERVED CEILING IN FRONT AREA WITH HEAVY WATER STAINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE CEILING TILES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INCLUDING BOXES AND SEVERAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DECLUTTER FACILITY.

MAR 4
2025
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-203.13OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. MUST INSTALL SERVICE SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

6-501.19 OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR OF EMPLOYEE BATHROOM IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

5-501.115 OBSERVED NON WORKING COLD HOLD UNIT STORED OUTSIDE IN REAR OF FACILITY. REMOVE AND MAINTAIN REFUSE AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 OBSERVED FLOOR AROUND GREASE TRAP IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY CLEANABLE. RESTORE FLOOR AROUND GREASE TRAP TO A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE CONDITION AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 25
2025
FAILED
10 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO ONE ON SITE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERAURE CONTROLLED FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED INCLUDING COOKED CHICKEN AND COOKED BEEF. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED NO LABELS OR DATE MARKING ON READY TO EAT/TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS INCLUDING COOKED BEANS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO REMINDER STATEMENT OR DISCLOSURE ON MENUS INDICATING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOOD INCLUDING "EGGS COOKED TO ORDER". MUST HAVE REMINDER STATEMENT AND DISCLOSE WHICH ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFacility Condition
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN REAR 2 DOOR SLIDING COOLER IN REAR. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTERS UNCLEAN. STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. MUST INSTALL SERVICE SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR OF EMPLOYEE BATHROOM IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED NON WORKING COLD HOLD UNIT STORED OUTSIDE IN REAR OF FACILITY. REMOVE AND MAINTAIN REFUSE AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOOR AROUND GREASE TRAP IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY CLEANABLE. RESTORE FLOOR AROUND GREASE TRAP TO A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE CONDITION AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 28
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PROVIDED MANAGEMENT WITH TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEESS TO HAVE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED 2 DOOR COOLER GASKET IS LOOSE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LOOSE SINK BASE IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OLD EQUIPMENT (MICROWAVE, COOLER) IN THE BACK DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN THE PREMISES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING/CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN JEFFERSON PARK