LA CASA DE TOLA.

Chicago Health Dept

3207 N ELSTON AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Apr 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

5 inspections on record since 2023 · Last inspected Apr 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

APR 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

APR 28

2025

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.13 OBSERVED HANDSOAP DISPENSER ATTACHED TO WALL DIRECTLY ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE HANDSOAP DISPENSER AND ENSURE EMPLOYEES ARE ONLY WASHING THEIR HANDS AT SINKS DESIGNATED FOR HANDWASHING.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.11 OBSERVED BOXED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH STORAGE RACKS IN WALK-IN FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 OBSERVED SMALL LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEAHT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-305.11 OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS (JACKETS, PURSES, ETC.) BEING STORED ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THR PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE ORDERLY STORAGE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES CLOTHING AND OTHER POSSESSIONS AND MAINTAIN.

APR 14

2025

FAIL 8 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, BEEF, EGGS, ETC.) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK ADJACENT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON TO ENSURE ALL HANDSINKS ARE SUPPLIED WITH PAPER TOWELS AND MAINTAIN. FOOD HANDLER REPLENISHED PAPER TOWELS AT HANDSINK DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HANDSOAP DISPENSER ATTACHED TO WALL DIRECTLY ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE HANDSOAP DISPENSER AND ENSURE EMPLOYEES ARE ONLY WASHING THEIR HANDS AT SINKS DESIGNATED FOR HANDWASHING.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOODS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING HOT AND COLD FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED BOXED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH STORAGE RACKS IN WALK-IN FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED SMALL LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEAHT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS (JACKETS, PURSES, ETC.) BEING STORED ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THR PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE ORDERLY STORAGE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES CLOTHING AND OTHER POSSESSIONS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 10/4/2024 INSPECTION, REPORT #2604076 NOT CORRECTED: #53-NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS. #58-NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

OCT 4

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

NOTED EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT SETTING IT UP TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. NO SANITIZER WAS USED TO SET UP THE SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ALWAYS SET UP THE SINK WHEN WASHING EQUIPMENT. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEE SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE USING THE CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

NOTED FROZEN VEGETABLE INSIDE CONTAINER AT THE PREP TABLE THAWING. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DEFROSTING FOOD:- EITHER UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRODUCT TEMPERATURE WAS ADEQUATE AT THE TIME.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

FEB 27

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 12 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

2-102.14(O) FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR ETC).

Minor Sanitation

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

4-202.16 OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RAISED SHELVINGS 6" OFF THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE

Minor Food Temperature

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

4-101.17 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD SHELF UNDERNEATH HOT HOLDING UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKY DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH FIRST COMPARTMENT (FAR LEFT) OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LEAKY DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK NEXT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17 INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TOILET RECEPTACLE WITH COVER INSIDE WASHROOM.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

6-501.19 INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR NON WORKING SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.

Minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

5-501.115 REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (WOOD) AND CLUTTER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.16 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES ON WALL AROUND REAR PREP AND DISHWASHING AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS UNDER AND AROUND HOT WATER TANK INSIDE THE MOP CLOSET.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.16 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL WALL OPENING AROUND MOPSINK IN REAR CLOSET.

FEB 24

2023

FAIL 16 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH HAND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE ADJACENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO REAR MAIN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C)

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND DRYING DEVICE OR PAPER TOWEL AT ALL HANDSINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA AND INSIDE WASHROOM.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF FOOD PRODUCETS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RAISED SHELVINGS 6" OFF THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE.

Minor Food Temperature

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

INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD SHELF UNDERNEATH HOT HOLDING UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKY DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH FIRST COMPARTMENT (FAR LEFT) OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TOILET RECEPTACLE WITH COVER INSIDE WASHROOM.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR NON WORKING SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.

Minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (WOOD) AND CLUTTER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO SEAL WALL OPENING AROUND MOPSINK IN REAR CLOSET.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS UNDER AND AROUND HOT WATER TANK INSIDE THE MOP CLOSET.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES ON WALL AROUND REAR PREP AND SIHWASHING AREA.

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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