Chicago
35
BEAT

El Senor Tamal

4234 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60639 · Belmont Cragin · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
35/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
11
4 passed
Last Inspected
2025-11-21
Pass Rate
36%
2 failures
Score
35/100
BEAT
4 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-11-21
Failed 2 inspections (2022, 2017)
Sanitation issues found across 24 inspections
Documentation & Training issues found across 6 inspections
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Sanitation critical 24×
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📌
Other serious
📦
Food Storage & Handling serious
🌡
Food Temperature critical
Chemical Safety minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
2025-11-21 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WATER DAMAGE TO WALL AND BASEBOARD BEHIND TOILET IN REAR EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED CEILING VENT IN REAR EMPLOYEE RESTROOM COVERED IN DUST. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2024-07-09 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 8
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED (SUCH AS CHICKEN, PORK). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED/SERVED. INSTRU...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

FOUND READY TO EAT TCS FOODS IN REFRIGERATOR NOT DATE MARKED. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR 24 HOURS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE MARKED WITH THE DATE THE FOOD WILL BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. PRIORITY FOUNDATI...

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

minor Pest Activity

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

NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED...

serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED TAMALE POTS TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BEING USED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REMOVE ALL LARGE POTS THAT ARE TOO BIG TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTALL A LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT S...

minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

2023-05-18 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 2
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR.

2022-06-17 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 3
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE LARGE PREP/STORAGE ROOM WHERE TAMALES ARE BEING PREPARED (LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE MAIN KITCHEN). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE LOCATED INSIDE THIS ROOM TO ALLOW FOR CONVENIENT USE BY...

serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED TAMALE POTS TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BEING USED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REMOVE ALL LARGE POTS THAT ARE TOO BIG TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTALL A LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT S...

minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA, INSIDE THE WASHROOM LOCATED NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR, AND INSIDE THE SIDE PREP/STORAGE ROOM.

2022-06-10 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE LARGE PREP/STORAGE ROOM WHERE TAMALES ARE BEING PREPARED (LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE MAIN KITCHEN). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE LOCATED INSIDE THIS ROOM TO ALLOW FOR CONVENIENT USE BY...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPERTOWELS AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE DISH/PREP AREA AND INSIDE THE UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SOAP AT THE DISH/PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH HANDWASHING SOAP AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

FOUND FOAM CUPS BEING USED TO SCOOP THE DRINKS BEING SERVED AT THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO USE A SCOOP WITH A HANDLE, AND THAT THE HANDLE MUST BE STORED ABOVE THE TOP OF THE FOOD.

serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED TAMALE POTS TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BEING USED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REMOVE ALL LARGE POTS THAT ARE TOO BIG TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTALL A LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT S...

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE INSIDE EACH UNISEX WASHROOM.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND THE BASE COVING PEELING OFF THE WALL INSIDE THE UNISEX WASHROOM LOCATED NEAR THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.

minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA, INSIDE THE WASHROOM LOCATED NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR, AND INSIDE THE SIDE PREP/STORAGE ROOM.

minor Pest Activity

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 7/7/21 REPORT #2522415: VIOLATION #38 (6-202.15) OBSERVED A 1/2 GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. VIOLATION #56 (6-5...

2021-07-07 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 9
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. NO CITATION ISSUED

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A 1/2 GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF TAMALES PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A FEW MISSING AND WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR OF PREMISES. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Documentation & Training

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT#2288930 FROM 5/16/2019 #58 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOL...

minor Other

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

OBSERVED NO INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT NOT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B). PRIOR...

2019-05-16 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 6
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. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

REMOVE THE DEAD MOUSE FROM THE GLUE TRAP IN THE CLOSET IN THE WASHROOM.

minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

MUST STORE ALL PLASTIC UTENSILS INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BY HANDS.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

2017-05-12 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 2
critical Pest Activity

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2049872 5/5/17 #18 NOT CORRECTED.STILL FINDING EVIDENCE OF APPX. 25 RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AND LEDGE UNDER FURNANCE AND FRONT DOOR APPX."1-2" ALONG BOTTOM AND REAR INTERIOR ADJACENT DOOR APPX."3/4" ALONG BOT...

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN CONCRETE FLOOR AT ENTRY DOOR

2017-05-05 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 9
critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED INSIDE OF 4- THERMAL COOLERS ON TABLE TOP SUCH AS 22LBS. COOKED ASSORTED VARIETY OF TAMALES RED -116.6F,PINE APPLE 117.9F,118.8F.CHEESE & JALEPENO 96.9F,141.2F,123.7F,118.6F,120.1F,...

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF 1- LIVE ROACH CRAWLING ON FLOOR UNDER 1- DOOR REACH IN COOLER .APPX.75 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER CHEMICAL STORAGE SHELF,ON FLOOR AND LEDGE OF HOT WATER TANK/FURNANCE ROOM AND A DEAD MOUSE ON GLUE BOARD.ALSO ,FRONT D...

serious Other

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM REPORT#1975772 11/21/16 NOT CORRECTED #45-IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-42-090)

minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST ELIMINATE GROCERY STORE BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE FOOD GRADE.

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN CONCRETE FLOOR AT ENTRY DOOR.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN LOWER WALL IN FURNANCE ROOM,LOOSE WALL PANEL NEXT TO COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN FILTERS AT HOOD AND DIRT FROM WALL VENT NEAR REAR DOOR.

minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF BULB IN PREP AREA.

minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK.

minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE PROBE THERMOMETER FOR FOOD TEMPS.

2016-11-21 Pass Canvass
3
minor Food Temperature

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

OBSERVED THE FRONT HOT HOLDING UNITS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. ALSO CLEAN FREEZER.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR RESTROOM, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH FOOD HANDLER REQUIRMENTS AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. GIVEN COPY OF IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AT THIS TIME.

2016-06-07 Pass License
2
minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

OBSERVED THE FLOOR NOT CLEAN IN THE HEATER ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED THE LIGHT SHIELDS NOT CLEAN REAR PREP, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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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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