JUN 11
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT, INC.
EAT. 88/100
3420 1/2 N BROADWAY · LAKEVIEW, CHICAGO
Last inspected June 11, 2025 · passed
12 of 15 inspections passed, with 5 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
15
12 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
57
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
15 YEARS
since Mar 2010
INSPECTION HISTORY
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST REPAIR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALL IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN.
APR 222024PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
APR 22
2024
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON PREP AREA WEST WALL AND GREASE BUILD UP ON WALL/CEILING ABOVE AND AROUND VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN PREP AREA WALLS AND CEILING.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
NOV 32023PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
NOV 3
2023
PASSED
7 violationsDETAILS
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE HANDWASHING SINK AND THE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE PREP AREA. THE SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEAN, AND A NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
SHELF BASE INSIDE THE TWO-DOOR COOLER IS RUSTED. MUST REPAIR AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE OR REPLACE
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
GREASE BUILD-UP INSIDE CABINET OF DEEP FRYER,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
REPAIR LEAKING PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
SEAL FLOOR TILES AT BAR AREA.ALSO REMOVE UNEVEN CEMENT FLOOR AT SAME AREA.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
CAULKING ALONG THE HANDWASHING SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS IN POOR RAIR/BROKEN MUST REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE
AUG 302022PASSED9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 30
2022
PASSED
9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
A SIGN OR POSTER NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS IS NOT PROVIDED AT ALL WITH HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. PROVIDE A VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGN AT EACH HAND SINK FIXTURE.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ARE NOT LABELED IN THE PREP KITCHEN AREA. IDENTIFY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH A COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
A METAL CONTAINER WITHOUT A HANDLE IS USED AS A SCOOP IN A RICE CONTAINER. THE FACILITY MUST PROVIDE A SCOOP WITH A HANDLE. REMOVED THE CONTAINER.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
IN-USE EQUIPMENT (FOIL USED AS LINING OVER OVEN AND CARDBOARD USED AS LINING UNDER CONTAINER OF NACHO CHIPS). REMOVE FROM USE AND REPLACE WITH EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE MEETING National Sanitation Foundation/ANSI standards.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
THE CUTTING SURFACE IS SEVERELY SCRATCHED, WHICH PREVENTS PROPER CLEANING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT. RESURFACE BOARD OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
SIDES OF COOKLINE EQUIPMENT IS SOILED WITH GREASE/DEBRIS. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
WALL TILES NEXT COOK VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM WERE FOUND IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. WALL TILES MUST BE INSTALLED, SO THEY ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILDUP WAS FOUND ON THE WALL, AND CEILING SURFACES ADJACENT/ABOVE THE EXHAUST HOOD AND IN THE EXHAUST HOOD. VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEMS AND DEVICES SHALL BE DETAIL CLEANED AND MAINTAINED.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ARE PROVIDED ON SITE. FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST OBTAIN VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND PRESENT THEM ON SITE.
MAR 52021PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
MAR 5
2021
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN THE CONTAINER OF SANITIZING SOLUTION PROVIDED IN BETWEEN USE.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INTERIOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER AND BOTH MICROWAVE OVENS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
LEAK FROM A COMPRESSOR UNDER THE FRONT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK ONTO THE FLOOR.----LEAK AT THE NOZZLE ON THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM.----DAMAGED PLASTER WALL AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE KITCHEN, CEILING OF KITCHEN, WALLS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN.----MISSING DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE KITCHEN AND THE DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR ALL.----EXCESSIVE GREASE ON THE KITCHEN WALLS NEXT TO AND ABOVE THE EXHAUST HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
show all 15 inspections →
NOV 52019FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 5
2019
FAILED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
NOTED BULK FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE CONTAINERS AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
NOTED OVER 10 LIVE ROACHES ON FLOOR BEHIND AND INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING OF THE CHEST FREEZER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND HAVE PREMISES TREATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A)
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ALSO NOTED LEAKING AT THE PIPE UNDER THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER AND SURROUNDING NOT MAINTAINED WITH THICK GREASE ON THE GROUND AROUND THE GREASE CONTAINER AND ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER AND ITS SURROUNDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B)
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INSIDE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT OF THE DEEP FRYER OF GREASE, CRUST AND DIRT BUILD-UP.
JUL 302018PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 30
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CIATION ISSUED. 7-38-012A. MUST PROVIDE.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.NO CIATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
FOUND TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. FOUND 15 POUNDS COOKED BEEF AT 51.2F, 10 POUNDS OF COOKED BEANS AT 63.4F, 5 POUNDS OF COOKED RICE AT 53.4F, AND 5 POUNDS TAMALES AT 52.3F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MANAGEMENT DISPOSED OF 35 POUNDS OF FOOD. VALUE AT 200 DOLLARS.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
FOUND REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. REACH IN COOLER AT 55.2F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
AUG 292017PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
AUG 29
2017
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
MUST NOT USE FOIL TO LINE SHELVING ACROSS FROM BAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE MAIN KITCHEN PREP COOLER. MUST ELIMINATE STANDING WATER IN BOTTOM OF GLASS 2 DOOR COOLER. OBSERVED THE LEFT COOK LINE MICROWAVE IN POOR REPAIR: NOTED THE WHITE PLASTIC INTERIOR TO BE FLAKING AND CRACKING NEAR THE REAR OF THE UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE MICROWAVE SO THAT ALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH, DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR LOWEST DRY STORAGE SHELF IN KITCHEN (JUST ABOVE THE WHITE CHEST FREEZER) WHERE THE PAINT HAS WORN OFF, EXPOSING THE UNSEALED WOOD UNDERNEATH.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
MUST CLEAN FOOD RESIDUE FROM SHELVING IN GLASS COOK LINE COOLER. MUST CLEAN FOOD RESIDUE FROM KNIVES STORED IN KNIFE RACK.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
MUST REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE FRONT BAR. MUST REPAIR DAMAGED DRYWALL AND PAINT WHERE THE HINGES OF THE KITCHEN DOORS HIT THE WALL WHEN OPENING/CLOSING.
AUG 22016PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
AUG 2
2016
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY. MUST STORE INVERTED.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
FOUND EXHAUST HOOD AT MAIN KITCHEN NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
FOUND NO EXPOSED HAND SINK AT FRONT BAR AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.
OCT 232015PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 23
2015
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE STORED INSIDE THE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER WHICH MAINTAIN AIR TEMP OF 39.9F.FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: COOKED BEEF WITH SAUCE AT TEMP OF 48F TO 49F; GROUND BEEF COOKED WITH SAUCE AND VEGETABLE AT TEMP OF46.5F 48.5F- 50F.AND 51.7F.COOKED CHICKEN WITH SAUCE AT TEMP OF 48.5F TO 50F.COOKED RICE AT TEMP OF 46.7F-48F AND 54.6F.FOOD WITH ABUSED TEMPERATURE DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 40,VALUE 200. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
GREASE BUILD-UP INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT: THE DEEP FRYER,OVENS,PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND WHITE MICROWAVE.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
GREASE ON FLOOR UNDER COKING EQUIPMENTS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
GREASE ON WALL UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
FEB 182014PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
FEB 18
2014
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
MUST REPLACE CRACK DOOR AT 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT REMOVE GREASE BUIL-UP. DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS AND FREEZERS.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA IN FRONT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT FRONT BAR HALLWAY. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE. MUST REGROUT FLOOR IN FRONT OF REFRIGERATION UNITS INKITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
MUST REPLACE CRACK SKY LIGHT ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
MUST REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET HANDLES AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA. ADDITIONAL WATER PRESSURE IS NEEDED AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND EXPOSED HANDWASH SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
FEB 192013PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FEB 19
2013
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
FOUND WALLS NOT SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN BY SHELVING UNITS NEXT TO EXTINGUISHER.
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
FOUND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD INSIDE REACH IN COOLER.
MAR 192012PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
MAR 19
2012
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT REAR HALLWAY AT WASHROOMS. MUST REPLACE.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
LEAK ON NOZZLE ON KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
MUST REPLACE ALL INACCURATE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS.
MAR 292010PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MAR 29
2010
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES AND THE 1 DOOR PREP COOLER.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED MULTIPLE LEAKS UNDERNEATH THE BAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR ALL LEAKS.
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 →