Cafe El Meson Incorporated

Chicago Health Dept

4631 S KEDZIE AVE · BRIGHTON PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Aug 2026).

8 inspections on record since 2015 · Last inspected Aug 2026.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

AUG 2026

Inspection history

AUG 27

2026

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 51.3-66.7F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, TURKEY(51.3F), HAM(55.9F), GARLIC IN OIL(66.7F),SLICED TOMATOES(62.6), SPINACH(62.6F) AND MAYO(62.8-63.1F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $10 WEIGHING 7LBS PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 63.9F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FAUCET USED FOR OBTAINING WATER TO RINSE EQUIPMENT ATTACHED TO WATER LINE OF HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE FAUCET USED FOR OBTAINING WATER FROM HANDWASHING SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT USED FOR MAKING BEVERAGES INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO UTILIZE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO OBTAIN WATER.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED BOXES AND CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SPLASHES ON WALL ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED BUILDUP ON EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP NEAR FLOOR. OBSERVED EQUIPMENT ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP TABLE ACROSS FROM THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL BEHIND HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR WALL BEHIND HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR WASHROOM FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENT COVER IN SECOND FLOOR WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENT COVER IN SECOND FLOOR WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 9

2025

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED CONVECTION OVEN IN STORAGE AREA NEXT TO BACK DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON BACK WALL UNDER COUNTERTOP WHERE FRYERS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY TO MINIMIZE BUILDUP OF GREASE AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 30

2024

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13 OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD RESIDUE IN REFRIGERATOR AND BACK OF DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 OBSERVED WALL BETWEEN KITCHEN AND FRONT PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED AND PEELING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 22

2024

FAIL 3 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE (ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD RESIDUE IN REFRIGERATOR AND BACK OF DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WALL BETWEEN KITCHEN AND FRONT PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED AND PEELING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 31

2023

PASS 6 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE HANDWASHING SINKS AND CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

THREE COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS UNABLE TO PROPERLY HOLD WATER. INSTRUCTED PROVIDE OR REPLACE SINK STOPPERS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NO BACKFLOW DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO LIDS ON THE TRASHCANS IN THE RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SPILLED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN BETWEEN SHELVING AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BACK REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MANINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

ALL CERTIFIED FOOD PROTECTION MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING.

show all 8 inspections →

NOV 6

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

CUTTING BOARD AT PREP COOLER STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES, INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MISSING OUTLET COVER AT OUTLET NEXT TO UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTD TO REPLACE MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND IN CORNERS IN PREP AREA NEED DETAILED CLEANING, FREE OF DEBRIS.

NOV 13

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE TWO TOASTER OVENS, AND DRIP TRAYS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. ALSO CLEAN AND SANITIZE CUTTING BOARDS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

OBSERVED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BASINS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF LARGE BAKING PANS,PLASTIC CONTAINERS, AND BUS PANS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF THE LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

JUL 7

2015

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

WALL IN PREP AREA WITH CHIPPED, PEELING PAINT. INSTD TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT. WALL OUTLET COVER MISSING IN PREP AREA. PROVIDE SAME.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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