EL FOGON DE ELENA RESTAURANT.

Chicago Health Dept

3149 W LAWRENCE AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Feb 2026), 1 critical violation noted.

9 inspections on record since 2020 · Last inspected Feb 2026 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

FEB 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 20

2026

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Other

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 26

2025

PASS 2 violations

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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.

Minor Facility Condition

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 29

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations

Minor Food Temperature

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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.

Minor Facility Condition

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 28

2024

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 1

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Sanitation

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.

Minor Chemical Safety

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON VENTS IN MEN AND WOMENS WASHROOM, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED HOOD FILTERS WITH GREASE BUILDUP INSTRUCTED MANGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

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

Minor Documentation & Training

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 9

2022

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP/COFFEE AREA

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, BEANS ETC).

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF DISHMACHINE WITH BUILD-UP.

Minor Documentation & Training

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 4

2021

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.

JUL 23

2021

FAIL 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Minor Food Temperature

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Facility Condition

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 6

2020

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 11 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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)

Critical Sanitation

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK FAUCET

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND WASHING SINK IN MAN'S BATHROOM

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN LADY'S BATHROOM

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST PROVIDE PROPER MOP DRYING OVER MOP SINK

Minor Other

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.

Minor Other

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.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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