SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

ISTMO OAXACAN CUISINE.

EAT. 93/100

3231 N CLARK ST · LAKEVIEW, CHICAGO

Last inspected December 30, 2025 · passed

Passed all 4 inspections, but 1 critical violation on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
4
3 passed · 1 w/ conditions
VIOLATIONS
15
includes 1 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Jul 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 30
2025
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED IN BASEMENT PREP SHELF FALLING OFF WALL, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

NOV 5
2024
PASSED
0 violations
AUG 2
2024
PASSED
6 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11 - OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA, AND OBSERVED NO LID OR METHOD OF COVERING OF ICE BIN IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON BOTH SIDES AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LID OR COVER FOR ICE BIN TO PREVENT AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12 - WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATED THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT AND THE ESPRESSO MACHINE/COFFEE MAKER ON THE RIGHT MOST SIDE IN THE BAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE AND PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 - OBSERVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IN UTILITY SINK AREA TO BE LEAKING WHEN FAUCET IS TURNED ON FROM BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN SYSTEM IN GOOD REPAIR.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.13 - OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS IN BASEMENT, WALL BEHIND DRYER, WALL AROUND DRYER VENT, AND OPEN PIPE IN BASEMENT TO NOT BE SEALED AND FULLY ENCLOSED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AROUND ALL JUNCTURES TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114 OBSERVED UNUSED AND UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT STORED IN THE BASEMENT (ONE NON-WORKING DRYER). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY TO OPERATION OF FACILITY.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-202.11 - OBSERVED TWO (2) LIGHT BULBS IN THE EXHAUST HOOD IN MAIN PREPARATION AREA TO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS.

JUL 22
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AVAILABLE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA, AND OBSERVED NO LID OR METHOD OF COVERING OF ICE BIN IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON BOTH SIDES AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LID OR COVER FOR ICE BIN TO PREVENT AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.

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

OBSERVED CERAMIC/STONE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS PLATES, MUGS, AND SMALL BOWLS TO BE USED FOR CONTACT WITH FOOD WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION STATING THE UTENSIL IS LEAD-FREE OR CONTAINS ALLOWABLE LEVELS OF LEAD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT FROM USE UNTIL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. ALL CERAMIC/STONE UTENSILS WERE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATED THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT AND THE ESPRESSO MACHINE/COFFEE MAKER ON THE RIGHT MOST SIDE IN THE BAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE AND PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IN UTILITY SINK AREA TO BE LEAKING WHEN FAUCET IS TURNED ON FROM BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN SYSTEM IN GOOD REPAIR.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS IN BASEMENT, WALL BEHIND DRYER, WALL AROUND DRYER VENT, AND OPEN PIPE IN BASEMENT TO NOT BE SEALED AND FULLY ENCLOSED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AROUND ALL JUNCTURES TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED AND UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT STORED IN THE BASEMENT (ONE NON-WORKING DRYER) AND UNDER THE PORCH LEADING TO THE REAR TRASH AREA/PARKING LOT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY TO OPERATION OF FACILITY.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED TWO (2) LIGHT BULBS IN THE EXHAUST HOOD IN MAIN PREPARATION AREA TO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS.

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 →

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