LA AZTECA PALETERIA.
3018 W CERMAK RD · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO
Failed 6 of 18 inspections. 12 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
MAY 132025PASSED4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED REAR EXTERIOR DOOR(RED) WITH 1/2IN GAP AT BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING.
OBSERVED FLY PAPER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND INFORM LICENSED PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN OF NEED FOR SERVICE.
OBSERVED CLUTTER AND ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATION STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ITEMS AND ORGANIZE AREA.
OBSERVED BROKEN AREA OF WALL BEHIND TABLES USED FOR STORAGE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
NOV 42024FAILED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WALLS. APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FIRST-FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ALONG THE WALLS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADVISED MANAGER TO HAVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING IN ALL THREE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
JUN 232023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED LEAK AT BOTTOM PIPE OF HANDSINK IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.OBSERVED CLUTTER IN FRONT COUNTER AREA ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL BOXES AND ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
JUN 152023FAILED4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED GAP IN WINDOW NEAR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, OBSERVED 1/4IN GAP ON SIDE OF GREEN DOOR LEADING TO EXTERIOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL GAPS FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST ENTRY.
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 80 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT FACILITY: IN FRONT COUNTER AREA BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND BOXES, IN MIDDLE PREP AREA BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND UNDER SHELVING, IN CORNERS BY PALLETS OF SUGAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE AREAS AND INFORM PEST CONTROL OF ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED LEAK AT BOTTOM PIPE OF HANDSINK IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.OBSERVED CLUTTER IN FRONT COUNTER AREA ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL BOXES AND ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
OCT 112022PASSED1 violationDETAILS
OBSERVED CARDBOARD BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
show all 18 inspections →
FEB 102021PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
MISSING COVERS FOR FAN IN WALK IN COOLER (D). INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION AROUND CONDENSOR IN WALK IN FREEZER (A). INSTD TO REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN
MISSING SHIELD FOR LIGHT IN WALK IN FREEZER (D). INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
NOV 42020PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
FOUND TORN REFRIGERATION GASKETS ON MULTIPLE REFRIGERATION UNITS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPLACE ALL TORN GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
MUST REMOVE ICE ACCUMULATION FROM DOOR FRAME AND AIR CURTAINS IN WALK IN FREEZER "D" IN REAR, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH BATCH FREEZER IN PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN DUST ACCUMULATION FROM CEILING VENT IN STAFF TOILET ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
MAY 152019PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR OF THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED RUFFLED CEILINGS ABOVE THE FOOD PREP AREA---------OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST AND DIRT IN THE CORNERS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THAT FLOORS AND CEILINGS SHOULD BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
JUL 162018PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY .MUST PROVIDE A POLICY AND MAINTAIN.
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN-UP POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED CRATES USED FOR FOOD AND PAPER STORAGE.MUST PROVIDE SHELVING UNITS.
Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN BASEMENT AND LABEL STORAGE ROOM
JUL 92018FAILED8 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW AND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND HANDLED AT THIS TIME.MUST PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AND POST.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY .MUST PROVIDE A POLICY AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN-UP POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES OF FRONT PREP AREA UNDER CABINETS,INSIDE OF MOTOR OF UNUSED COOLER,WRAPPING STATION AREA,REAR AREA UNDER HAND SINK,MACHINE ROOM NEAR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL ROOM.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 7/9/18.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020A)
OBSERVED CRATES USED FOR FOOD AND PAPER STORAGE.MUST PROVIDE SHELVING UNITS.
MUST DEFROST FRONT ICE CREAM FREEZER.
MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN BASEMENT LABEL STORAGE ROOM.
OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 122017PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
ALL MULTIUSE UTENSILS (POPSICLE STICKS) MUST BE KEPT IN A CLEAN SANITIZED COVERED LOCATION UNTIL USED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE CLEANED AND FREE FROM STICKY SUBSTANCE. CLEAN ALL EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.
FLOORS THROUGHOUT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA WITH PEELING PAINT. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS INSIDE SHIELD. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
HANDSINK NEEDED IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
AUG 162016PASSED1 violationDETAILS
2 COMPARTMENT UTILITY SINK AT OUTSIDE REAR OF PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE UTILITY SINK INSIDE PREMISES FOR CLEANING-UP PURPOSES
AUG 92016FAILED1 violationDETAILS
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#1562052 DATE 08-11-2015 (38)OBSERVED NO DIPPER WELL FOR ICE CREAM SCOOPS AT THE FRONT SERVICE AREA,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DIPPER WELL WITH RUNNING WATER AND A DRAIN (32)OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE OF WALK-IN FREEZERS INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED ICE AND MAINTAIN (36)OBSERVED SOME LIGHTS WITH MISSING END CAPS,OBSERVED SOME LIGHT SHIELDS NOT COVERING THE ENTIRE LIGHT BULB,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090,
AUG 112015PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE OF WALK IN FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED ICE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL INSULATION THAT IS TORN, DIRTY, UNEVEN AND NOT EASILY CLEANABLE AROUND A CHILLER PIPE LOCATED IN THE PREP AREA BY THE CHILLERS. OBSERVED A BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE AROUND A BARREL AND PIPE USED FOR THE CHILLERS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAKE ALL SURFACES EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED A DOOR FRAME IN POOR REPAIR LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SOME LIGHTS WITH MISSING END CAPS. OBSERVED SOME LIGHT SHIELDS NOT COVERING THE ENTIRE LIGHT BULB. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO DIPPER WELL FOR ICE CREAM SCOOPS AT THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DIPPER WELL WITH RUNNING WATER AND A DRAIN.
OBSERVED UTENSIL STORAGE IN THE REAR PORCH (APARTMENT COMMON AREA) OF THE FACILITY. ALSO, ITEMS SUCH AS ACCUMULATED CRATES, UNUSED EQUIPMENT, CONTAINERS AND TOOLS AT EAST SIDE OUTDOOR SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM AREA, ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF OF THE GROUND AND KEEP ALL FOOD UTENSILS AND CONTAINERS INSIDE OF FACILITY AND MAINTAIN. 2 COMPARTMENT UTILITY SINK AT OUTSIDE REAR OF PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE UTILITY SINK INSIDE PREMISES FOR CLEANING-UP PURPOSES.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.
AUG 292014PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
WALK-IN FREEZER DOOR GASKET IN POOR REPAIR, CAUSING EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION OF INTERIOR. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME
LIGHTSHIELDS AND ENCAPS MISSING ON LIGHTS THROUGH OUT PREMISES AND IN WALK IN COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
NO GREASE INTERCEPTORS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE SAME
AUG 212014FAILED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MICE DROPPINGS NOTED (OVER 30) SCATTERED ALONG WALLBASE AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT IN REAR BY WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMEND TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
WALK-IN FREEZER DOOR GASKET IN POOR REPAIR, CAUSING EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION OF INTERIOR. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME.
LIGHTSHIELDS AND ENCAPS MISSING ON LIGHTS THROUGH OUT PREMISES AND IN WALK IN COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
NO GREASE INTERCEPTORS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE SAME.
MAY 172010PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL STORAGE CONTAINERS.
All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE BOTTOM PANEL OF PREP TABLE.
Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AT PRODUCTION AREA 3PART SINK.
ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
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 →