LA COCINA.

Chicago Health Dept

2901 N KEDZIE AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2019.

12 inspections on record since 2010 · Last inspected Jun 2019.

Last inspected Jun 2019. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUN 2019

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 24

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED 2 PREP AREA BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED PREP AREA CUTTING BOARD SURFACE DARK AND PITTED ABOVE STEAMTABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARD.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR MOP SINK.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES MISSING OR EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE UPDATED/VALID CERTIFICATES WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.

NOV 17

2017

PASS 6 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED AT PREP AREA BY COOKLINE. MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION FAN COVER INSIDE PREP AREA SODA/SAUCE REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FAN COVER AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA ALONG COOKLINE. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES.

Minor Facility Condition

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

OBSERVED BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULBS (X4) ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS WITH WORKING LIGHT BULBS.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NO THEROMETER INSIDE PREP AREA LOW REACH IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED/ITEMS ON BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ITEMS OFF FLOOR.

JAN 6

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS ALSO OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN BASEMENT FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 26

2016

PASS 6 violations

Minor Food Temperature

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

MUST ALWAYS USE FOOD GRADE BAGS TO STORE FOOD NOT THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS. FOUND YELLOW RICE INSIDE A PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG AT THE HOT HOLDING UNIT. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS AT ALL TIMES. ALSO MUST ALWAYS PROPERLY DATE AND LABEL PREPARED FOODS AND ALL OTHER FOODS NOT FOUND IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING/CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MUST USE PROPER UTENSILS OR SCOOPERS WITH HANDLES TO SERVE FOOD FROM PLASTIC CONTAINERS INSIDE THE 2-SLIDING DOOR REFRIGERATOR ACROSS FROM THE COOKING LINE. FOUND FOAM CUPS/BOWLS INSIDE PREPARED MEAT. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOODEN TABLE HOLDING THE SMALL ICE MACHINE.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EXHAUST HOOD FILTERS AT CEILING IN THE EXHAUST CANOPY. FOUND ABOVE WITH EXCESSIVE GRIME BUILD-UP.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

MUST DECLUTTER AND BETTER ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT AREA. REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM THE BASEMENT.

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

MUST PROVIDE THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE FOR THE NEW EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES (FATIMA FELIX AND DANIEL TORRES).

SEP 23

2015

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NO THERMOMETER INSIDE 1-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANLDERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH CERTIFICATES OF NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.

show all 12 inspections →

JUL 14

2014

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

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

OBSERVED COOKED PREPARED FOODS STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMP, READING 50-51'F, FOOD SUCH AS RICE, SOY CHICKEN, SOY BEEF, AND SOY CHORIZO, ALL PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $300.00, ABOUT TEN POUNDS TOTAL, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RUSTY WIRE SHELVING INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER, AND RESTRICT USING CARRYOUT BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE,

Minor Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

NOTED CLUTTER THRU-OUT KITCHEN AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

AUG 15

2013

PASS · 0 violations

AUG 8

2013

FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Sanitation

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

ICE ARE NO PROTECTED DURING STORAGE. ICE MACHINE INTERIOR UPPER PANEL NOT MAINTAINED. TUBE WHERE THE WATER ARE COMING FROM WITH ORANGE /YELLOWISH SUBSTANCE AND ONE PLASTIC TUBE WITH BLACK MOLDY LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. TAGGED THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE AND NOT TO REMOVE THE TAG. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS, 7-38-005(A).

Critical Pest Activity

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED

FOUND THE OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED. WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS ALL OVER THE LID AND AROUND THE RIM OF THE CONTAINER AND SURROUNDING AREA WITH DEBRIS ALL AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE CONTAINER.CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-020.

Minor Sanitation

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

CRACKED FLOOR TILES THRU-OUT THE COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FAN GUARD OF THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER,WITH GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP.

OCT 9

2012

PASS 9 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

PREP FOODS INSIDE STORAGE COOLER AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO DATA/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

INSTRUCTED, CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED ON STORAGE SHELVES.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RUSTY BOTTOM PANEL OF ONE PREP TABLE.

Minor Sanitation

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

THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEANED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE; COOLERS, CHEST FREEZER, COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE SHELVES, BOTTOM PANELS OF STEAM TABLE AND PREP TABLES, MICROWAVE OVEN AND MOP SINK.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT PREMISES, INCLUDING BASEMENT, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS. ALSO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3PART SINK.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT, CEILING ATTACHMENTS, REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING PANELS AT DINING AREA AND WASHROOM AND CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS THRU-OUT THE KITCHEN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3PART SINK.

Minor Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

NOTED CLUTTER THRU-OUT KITCHEN AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

INSTRUCTED, ICE SCOOP AND CLEANING TOWELS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED.

JUL 20

2011

PASS 5 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Inspector Comments: Foods inside coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.

Minor Sanitation

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

Inspector Comments: Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

Inspector Comments: Drainline under three compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

Inspector Comments: Thermometer not provided iniside cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside cooler.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Inspector Comments: Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to elevate supplies 6 inches or higher off floor and away from wall.

MAY 5

2011

PASS 5 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Foods inside coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.

Minor Sanitation

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

Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

Drainline under three compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

Thermometer not provided iniside cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside cooler.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to elevate supplies 6 inches or higher off floor and away from wall.

JUL 1

2010

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.OBSERVED THE FRONT COOLERS NOT CLEAN INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALSO UNDER HOOD NEEDS CLEANING.

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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