Chicago
45
BEAT

El Mezcalito Cantina & Grill

5147-5151 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632 · Brighton Park · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
45/100

Troubled record — failed 2 of 4 inspections for other, plumbing & waste

Inspections
4
2 passed
Last Inspected
2026-01-15
Pass Rate
50%
2 failures
Score
45/100
BEAT
Passed most recent inspection (2026-01-15)
Failed 2 inspections (2026, 2025)
Other issues found across 5 inspections
Plumbing & Waste issues found across 3 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation serious 10×
📌
Other critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
Chemical Safety critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🔧
Facility Condition minor
2026-01-15 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
4
minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15: OBSERVED LEAKING FROM BOTH PIPES AND DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX ALL LEAKS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-501.14: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUILDUP AND CLEAN FILTERS IN BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

2026-01-08 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 12
critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED TO FACILITY AT 1...

critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED TO FACILITY AT 1...

critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED ALL NECESSARY ITEMS NOT ON PREMISES FOR COMPLYING WITH PROCEDURE AVAILABLE ON SITE WHEN EMPLOYEES RESPOND TO VOMITTING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITTING OR DIARRH...

critical Chemical Safety

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

OBSERVED SHELLSTOCK TAG FROM NOVEMBER 2025 WITH NO DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED. INSTRUCTED THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED SHALL BE RECORDED ON THE TAG OR LABEL AND OBSERVE...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED SOME ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER WITH NO ASTERISK IDENTIFYING THEM AS SUCH. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBS...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF WESTSIDE SIDE EXIT DOOR ON KOLIN STREET. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

serious Food Temperature

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKING FROM BOTH FAUCETS, PIPES AND DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED LEAKING FROM FAUCET OF HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO FIX ALL LEAKS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING SINK AN...

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUILDUP AND CLEAN FILTERS IN BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVIC...

minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2611388 DATED 01/30/2025 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED. CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O ENSURE CUPS AR...

2025-02-03 Pass License Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 3
minor Sanitation

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

4-501.11 OBSERVED NO STOPPERS AT THREE-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS AT ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS.

minor Sanitation

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

4-101.13(C) CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD-FREE OR LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVAL FROM PREMISES.

critical Plumbing & Waste

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

5-402.12 OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON THREE-COMPARTMENT THE SINK IS LOCATED IN THE BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN.

2025-01-30 Fail License
CRITICAL 8
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASH SINK IN REAR PREP AREA THAT WILL BE USED TO PREPARE BREAKFAST FOODS. COLD HOLD PREP COOLER OBSERVED IN SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE STANDARDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C).

serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED RUSTED COMPONENTS ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE COMPONENTS, DISCARD ICE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED AROUND PERIMETER OF BAR BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND IN CORNERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE AREAS, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A).

minor Sanitation

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

CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD-FREE OR LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED NO STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS AT ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS.

minor Facility Condition

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. GREASE TRAP OVERFLOWING ONTO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-02...

critical Plumbing & Waste

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON THREE COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED LARGE GAPS AND CRACKED TILES IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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