FEB 20
2026
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
EL FOGON DE ELENA RESTAURANT.
YOUR CALL. 76/100
3149 W LAWRENCE AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Last inspected February 20, 2026 · passed
5 of 9 inspections passed, 1 failed, 3 passed with conditions. 8 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
9
5 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
42
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
6 YEARS
since Feb 2020
INSPECTION HISTORY
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED RICE AND SUGAR IN UNCOVERED CONTAINERS IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO COVER FOOD ITEMS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
OBSERVED SINGLE USE STYROFOAM TRAYS FACING UP ON THE PREP TABLE INTHE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAYS TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
FEB 262025PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FEB 26
2025
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-204.12--BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
6-303.11--OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
JAN 292025PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violationsDETAILS
JAN 29
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violationsDETAILS
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED ONE REFRIGERATION UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT COFFEE BEVERAGE PREP AREA WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 47.7F. NO TCS FOODS WERE FOUND IN SAID COOLER AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER. THE COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. SEE COMMENTS BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS LINERS ON STORAGE SHELFS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL LINERS AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
FEB 282024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
FEB 28
2024
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE CHEST FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLERS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUSTS AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
MAY 12023PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 1
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO CURRENT SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON FILE. NO CURRENT EMPLOYEES HAVE SIGNED THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED SQUEEZE BOTTLES OF SUCH AS GARLIC SAUCE, MAYO, AND KETCHUP..ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL SQUEEZE BOTTLES WITH COMMON NAME.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED EXPOSED WOODEN SHELVING ABOVE FREEZER IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL WOOD TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON VENTS IN MEN AND WOMENS WASHROOM, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED HOOD FILTERS WITH GREASE BUILDUP INSTRUCTED MANGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO CURRENT EMPLOYEES WITH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENROLL EMPLOYEES IN TRAINING AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIMEFRAME. REPORT#2563412 DATED SEPTEMBER 9TH 2022 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO COMPLY WITH FOOD ALLERGEN REQUIREMENT. OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENROLL AND COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
show all 9 inspections →
SEP 92022PASSED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 9
2022
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP/COFFEE AREA
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, BEANS ETC).
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF DISHMACHINE WITH BUILD-UP.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE . INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
AUG 42021PASSED1 violationDETAILS
AUG 4
2021
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
JUL 232021FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 23
2021
FAILED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER ON THE PREMISES TO TAKE HOT AND COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2359975 ON 2/6/20 NOT CORRECTED: 47 - OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO BOTH 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLERS IN PREP AREA COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.
FEB 62020PASS W/ CONDITIONS11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 6
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE WHEN RETURNING TO WORK FROM RESTROOM AND ON FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN SIGNAGE
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO BOTH 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN PREP AREA COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
MUST PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK FAUCET
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND WASHING SINK IN MAN'S BATHROOM
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED THAT TOILET ROOM DOOR ARE NOT CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE.TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING OPERATIONS.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN LADY'S BATHROOM
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST PROVIDE PROPER MOP DRYING OVER MOP SINK
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
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 →