OCT 9
2025
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
CAFE EL MESON.
YOUR CALL. 72/100
4631 S KEDZIE AVE · BRIGHTON PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected October 9, 2025 · passed
5 of 7 inspections passed, 1 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 3 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
5 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
24
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
10 YEARS
since Jul 2015
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
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.
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.
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 302024PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUL 30
2024
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
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.
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 222024FAILED3 violationsDETAILS
JUL 22
2024
FAILED
3 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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 312023PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
JUL 31
2023
PASSED
6 violationsDETAILS
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.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
THREE COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS UNABLE TO PROPERLY HOLD WATER. INSTRUCTED PROVIDE OR REPLACE SINK STOPPERS.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
NO BACKFLOW DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO LIDS ON THE TRASHCANS IN THE RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
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.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALL CERTIFIED FOOD PROTECTION MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING.
NOV 62019PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 6
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MISSING OUTLET COVER AT OUTLET NEXT TO UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTD TO REPLACE MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND IN CORNERS IN PREP AREA NEED DETAILED CLEANING, FREE OF DEBRIS.
show all 7 inspections →
NOV 132017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
NOV 13
2017
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
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.
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 72015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
JUL 7
2015
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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.
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 →