EL QUETZAL.

Chicago Health Dept

3445 W LAWRENCE AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2024.

7 inspections on record since 2020 · Last inspected Jul 2024.

Last inspected Jul 2024. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUL 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 18

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR HANDSINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.

Serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (CHICKEN WITH MOLE,TAMALES,SALSAS ETC) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT,TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

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 DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

SEP 29

2023

PASS · 0 violations

SEP 21

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS STORED AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47-52 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOOD IS STORED AT 41 F AND BELOW. 1 MANAGER DISCARDED ( 20 POUNDS TAMALES, 2 POUNDS BEEF, 1 GALLON HOMEMADE SOUP STOCK, 1/4 POUND SHRIMP, 8 POUNDS COOKED VEGETABLES INCLUDING CORN AND POTATOES, AND 1/4 GALLON MILK ($600). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED COOLER WITH INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COOLERS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

SEP 16

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

FOUND TCS FOODS NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE DURING STORAGE INSIDE PREP COOLER (AIR TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F) NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF PORK AT 56.2F, BEANS AND PORK AT 51.7F, BEANS AND CHEESE AT 54.6F, BEEF AT 46.8F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135F. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL WEIGHT 25 LBS, TOTAL VALUE $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS INSIDE BOILER ROOM.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED UNFINISHED DOOR FRAME IN REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND PAINT.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER IN CHARGE WITHOUT APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

AUG 31

2021

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

show all 7 inspections →

AUG 23

2021

FAIL 11 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (BEANS AT 175.2F) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN AND SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (SALSA) REFRIGERATED MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT A DATE MARK TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS WITH A DATE NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS WITH THE DAY OF PREPARATION COUNTING AS DAY #1. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MUST INCLUDED THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE FOOD OR THE STATEMENT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED" WITH THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND CUTTING BOARDS INSTEAD OF IN A SANITIZER BUCKET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED THE LARGE ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE IT IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. ALSO OBSERVED A SMALLER ICE SCOOP STORED IN A COOLER CONTAINING ICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE THE ICE SCOOP OUTSIDE OF THE COOLER IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES, THE STOVE AND OUTSIDE OF THE FREEZER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

CLEAN THE DUST AND GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.

Minor Other

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B).

SEP 24

2020

PASS 1 violation

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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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