SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

CORAZON TEQUILERO RESTAURANT.

BEAT. 19/100

3235 N CENTRAL AVE · PORTAGE PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected May 22, 2025 · passed

Failed 3 of 5 inspections. 17 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
5
2 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
40
includes 17 critical
RECORDS COVER
10 MONTHS
since Jul 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 22
2025
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14// OBSERVED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT FRONT AND REAR BARS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12// NOTED DRY SEASONINGS IN KITCHEN ON SHELVES AND TABLE TOPS STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH OUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS OF COMMON NAMES FOR ALL ITEMS REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

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

4-501.12// NOTED DEEPLY STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP COOLERS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17// NOTED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114// NOTED ITEMS STORED IN THE ATTIC ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.

MAY 19
2025
FAILED
10 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14// OBSERVED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT FRONT AND REAR BARS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

4-601.11(A): OBSERVED REAR ICE MACHINE WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK AND BROWN SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED BELOW THE ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

3-603.11: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU PRESENTED FOR ALL ANIMAL FOOD PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (EX: LIMON Y SALSA, ESPECIALES, CARNE ASADA, EL JIMADOR, CARNE ASADA CLASSICA, AND MOLCAJETE AZTECA MENU). FACILITY ALSO HAS ELECTRONIC MENUS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY ON ALL MENUS. (REFER TO CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY HANDOUT) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12// NOTED DRY SEASONINGS IN KITCHEN ON SHELVES AND TABLE TOPS STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH OUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS OF COMMON NAMES FOR ALL ITEMS REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-501.111 OBSERVED PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK WITH REPORTS FROM 9/30/24 AND 11/7/24. PEST CONTROL IS CONTRACTED TO COME 'NET 30' (MONTHLY)ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS MUST MAINTAIN A LOGBOOK THAT SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY'S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH) LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C).

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

3-304.14// OBSERVED WHITE AND GREEN WIPING CLOTH STORED ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROPER SANITIZING BUCKET WITH PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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

4-501.12// NOTED DEEPLY STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP COOLERS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17// NOTED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114// NOTED ITEMS STORED IN THE ATTIC ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.

MAY 15
2025
FAILED
13 violations6 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE NO VALID PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.

CRITICALFood Temperature
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE. A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED AT 3:45 AND PRESENTED A COPY OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE, AND A CERTIFIED MANAGER SHALL BE ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING, AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT FRONT AND REAR BARS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

CRITICALFood Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING SINKS NOT MAINTAINED WITH HOT WATER: HANDWASH SINK AND 3-COMP SINK AT FRONT BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF HOT WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100°F AND THE MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 3-COMP SINK MUST BE AT LEAST 110°F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED REAR ICE MACHINE WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK AND BROWN SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED BELOW THE ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU PRESENTED FOR ALL ANIMAL FOOD PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (EX: LIMON Y SALSA, ESPECIALES, CARNE ASADA, EL JIMADOR, CARNE ASADA CLASSICA, AND MOLCAJETE AZTECA MENU). FACILITY ALSO HAS ELECTRONIC MENUS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY ON ALL MENUS. (REFER TO CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY HANDOUT) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

NOTED DRY SEASONINGS IN KITCHEN ON SHELVES AND TABLE TOPS STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH OUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS OF COMMON NAMES FOR ALL ITEMS REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK WITH REPORTS FROM 9/30/24 AND 11/7/24. PEST CONTROL IS CONTRACTED TO COME 'NET 30' (MONTHLY)ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS MUST MAINTAIN A LOGBOOK THAT SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY'S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH) LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C).CITATION ISSUED

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WHITE AND GREEN WIPING CLOTH STORED ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROPER SANITIZING BUCKET WITH PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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

NOTED DEEPLY STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP COOLERS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

NOTED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED ITEMS STORED IN THE ATTIC ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.

JUL 30
2024
PASSED
2 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13--OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.

JUL 19
2024
FAILED
10 violations6 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO PERSON ON SITE WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO POST AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.

CRITICALFood Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINK AT FRONT BAR AREA. OBSERVED HOT WATER KNOB MISSING AND UNABLE TO TURN ON HOT WATER. MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK MUST BE AT 100F OR ABOVE THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK AT FRONT BAR. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-030(C).

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK AT FRONT BAR. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH A RECORD OF ALL VISITS, A CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED EXTERMINATOR WHO PROVIDES SERVICES AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, A COPY OF IDPH PEST CONTROL LICENSE NUMBER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(c).

SERIOUSFood Temperature
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS ON SITE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

MINORDocumentation & Training
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER PROVIDED ON SITE. All licensed RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS and establishments with a liquor license shall have at least one commercial dumpster with commercial REFUSE removal. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(b).

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD 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 PORTAGE PARK