NOV 25
2025
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
FIESTA TAMALERIA EL BARRIO, INC..
EAT. 92/100
1820 W 18TH ST · PILSEN, CHICAGO
Last inspected November 25, 2025 · passed
7 of 9 inspections passed, with 6 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
9
7 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
32
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
5 YEARS
since Apr 2020
INSPECTION HISTORY
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLER AND SHELVING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. ALSO DEFROST AND CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN FREEZER.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE BASEMENT AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
OCT 232024PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 23
2024
PASSED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-202.15 OBSERVED AN APPX. 1" GAP AT THE DOOR BASE OF THE BASEMENT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-501.12 OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-202.16 NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION IN THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDES APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.114 NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.13 THE MISSING WALL AT THE BASEBOARD LINE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST REPLACE THE WALL AND BASEBOARD COVING. HOLE IN THE CEILING OF THE ADULT WASHROOM. MUST SEAL/REPAIR.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.16 OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OCT 162024PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 16
2024
PASSED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED AN APPX. 1" GAP AT THE DOOR BASE OF BASEMENT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING 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 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MISSING WALL AT THE BASEBOARD LINE IN BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST REPLACE THE WALL AND BASEBOARD COVING.HOLE IN THE CEILING OF THE ADULT WASHROOM. MUST SEAL/REPAIR.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
JUL 272023PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
JUL 27
2023
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE 1-DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED A POT IN THE DISH AREA TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE LARGE DISHES THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FROM PREMISES OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN ALTERNATIVE WAREWASHING PROCEDURE THAT STATES HOW THE FACILITY WILL WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE LARGE DISHES. MANAGEMENT REMOVED THE POT FROM THE PREMISES.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL WASHROOM DOORS MUST BE COMPLETELY ENCLOSED AND PROVIDED WITH TIGHT FITTING AND SELF-CLOSING DOORS.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
JAN 242022PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JAN 24
2022
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
3-302.12 OBSERVED NO LABELS ON THE DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS BEING USED FOR DRY FOOD STORAGE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO REUSE SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
show all 9 inspections →
SEP 102021PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
SEP 10
2021
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED A LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMP SINK (LAST COMPARTMENT). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILE IN THE FRONT DINING AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
FEB 52021PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 5
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
APR 162020FAILED7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 16
2020
FAILED
7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
5-204.11 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND WASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
3-306.11 OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE CUSTOMER DINING/SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SEPARATION THAT IS AT LEAST 6FT IN HEIGHT AROUND THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-203.13 OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SERVICE SINK WITH A FLOOR DRAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK UNDER THE FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO CLOSED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
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 →