LA COCINA.

Chicago Health Dept

2518 W 26TH ST · PILSEN, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2017.

11 inspections on record since 2011 · Last inspected Nov 2017.

Last inspected Nov 2017. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

NOV 2017

INSPECTION HISTORY

NOV 14

2017

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 48.1F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS MEAT AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Critical Food Temperature

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

OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED HAM AT 48.9F, SOUR CREAM AT 45F, RICE AT 47.7F, EGGS AT 48.2F, STEAK AT 50F, BACON AT 48.9F, CHEESE AT 47.1F, AND HOT DOGS AT 48.2F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 50# OF FOOD WORTH $350. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Minor Sanitation

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

FOUND FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN: SINKS, INTERIOR OF COOLERS, AND TABLES. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL MENTIONED.

Minor Sanitation

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

FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT KITCHEN AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL KITCHEN AREAS.

Minor Facility Condition

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

OBSERVED A LIGHT SHIELD MISSING FROM THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE.

OCT 30

2017

FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED 30 MICE DROPPINGS BEHIND REACH IN COOLER AT FRONT PREPARATION AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-020. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS FROM BEHIND COOLER AND NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR.

Minor Sanitation

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

FOUND FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN: SINKS, INTERIOR OF COOLERS, AND TABLES. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL MENTIONED.

Minor Sanitation

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

FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT KITCHEN AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL KITCHEN AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

FOUND 1 OF 2 EXPOSED HAND SINKS NOT WORKING AT PREMISES. OUT OF ORDER HAND SINK IS BEHIND FRONT COUNTER AREAS. WORKING HAND SINK IS ACCESSIBLE TO PREPARATION/DISHWAHING AREAS. MUST REPAIR EXPOSED HAND SINK OUT OF ORDER.

JUL 5

2016

PASS 4 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

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

OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (BEEF, RICE) OUT THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. OBSERVED PEANUTS, AND LATIN PASTRIES FOR SALE AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER WITHOUT PRODUCT NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DISHWARE NOT INVERTED AND BEING STORED ON THE SHELVES BEHIND THE CUSTOMER COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON THE VENTS LOCATED ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING WALL TILE UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BY THE REAR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

JUN 27

2016

FAIL 11 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED 15 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN THE CORNER SHELF OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. OBSERVED NO UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Serious Sanitation

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST THE SANITIZER COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Serious Facility Condition

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1560033 38-38 REPAIR VENTILATION FAN IN CUSTOMER WASHROOM. INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL, PROVIDE BACKFLOW DEVICE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Minor Chemical Safety

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

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DISHWARE NOT INVERTED AND BEING STORED ON THE SHELVES BEHIND THE CUSTOMER COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED BLOOD SPILL INSIDE OF THE FREEZER LOCATED IN THE REAR AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR ALSO LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FLOORS THRU OUT WITH ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED MOP HEADS BEING STORED DOWNWARD. INSTRUCTED TO STORE MOP HEADS UPRIGHT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 9

2015

PASS 7 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

INVERT CLEAN MULTI-USE SPOONS IN CONTAINER NEAR CASH REGISTER.

Minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN INTERIOR OF SINKS, DRAWER UNDER UNUSED GRILL(STANDING WATER), REACH-IN COOLERS, FREEZERS, AND SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

REPAIR VENTILATION FAN IN CUSTOMER WASHROOM. INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

PROVIDE ACCURATE THERMOMETER IN REACH-IN COOLER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.

Minor Sanitation

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

ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. ORGANIZE REACH-IN COOLER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.

show all 11 inspections →

MAY 27

2014

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations

Serious Other

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERIFICATE POSTED.

Minor Chemical Safety

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

MUST PROVIDE FREEZER GRADE BAGS.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR HOLES AND SEAL GAPS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WOMEN TOILET ROOM DOOR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

MUST REPAIR THREE COMPARTMENT FAUCET LEAK.

MAY 19

2014

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OUTER REAR DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF(HALF INCH GAP FROM BOTTOM OF DOOR TO THRESHOLD . MUST RODENT PROOF REAR OUTER DOORS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED(PORK AND CHICKEN). SERIOUS CITATION 7-38-012.

Minor Chemical Safety

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

MUST PROVIDE FREEZER GRADE BAGS.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR HOLES AND SEAL GAPS IN BOTH TOILET ROOM CEILING.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WOMEN TOILET ROOM DOOR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

MUST REPAIR THREE COMPARTMENT FAUCET LEAK.

AUG 6

2013

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

NEED DRAIN BOARD, PROVIDE TOILET SEAT.

Minor Sanitation

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

NEED TO CLEAN DUSTY CEILING VENTS IN BOTH RESTROOMS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NEED TO REPAIR FRONT HAND SINK DRAIN.

JUL 30

2013

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED 20 MICE DROPPINGS IN FRONT AREA UNDER BOX FREEZER STORAGE SHELF IN CORNER NEED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE EFFECTIVE AREA. FILL ALL HOLES AND HAVE PEST CONTROL RETURN FOR SERVICE.

Minor Sanitation

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

NEED DRAIN BOARD AT REAR 3 COMP. SINK.NEED TO PROVIDE TOILET SEAT FOR 1ST. RESTROOM.

Minor Sanitation

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

DEFROST BOX FREEZER FRONT, AND REAR UPRIGHT FREEZER. CLEAN INTERIOR OF 2 DOOR COOLER. CLEAN STORAGE CABINETS UNDER GRILL.

Minor Sanitation

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

NEED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL EFFECTIVE AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

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

NEED TO CLEAN ALL DUSTY CEILING VENTS. ALSO IN BOTH RESTROOMS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

FRONT HANDSINK NEEDS REPAIR DRAIN RUNNING SLOW.

JAN 5

2012

PASS · 0 violations

DEC 16

2011

FAIL 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

ONE REFRIGERATION UNIT NOT HOLDING AT PROPER TEMP (54.3). MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE. UNIT MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW.

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

FIRST FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED; MUST RODENT PROOF DOOR. OBTAIN A VALID COPY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS LICENSE FROM THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY FOR LOG BOOK.

Serious Sanitation

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

ONE STOPPER OF THREE COMP SINK NOT WORKING PROPERLY TO HOLD WATER; REPAIR OR PROVIDE DRAIN STOPPERS TO PROPERLY SET UP SINK WHEN WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZING.

Minor Sanitation

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

TWO HOLES OBSERVED IN WALL. ONE IN KITCHEN BEHIND FREEZER AND ONE IN DINING AREA BY DEEP FREEZER. BOTH STUFFED WITH STEEL WOOL. RECOMMENDED SEALING WITH CEMENT. CLEAN VENTS IN HOODED AREA ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

EXPOSED HANDSINK IN REAR IS SLOW DRAINING AND LEAKING AT PIPE UNDERNEATH; REPAIR SINK.

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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