SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

LA COCINA DE DON RAMON.

YOUR CALL. 69/100

4208 N MILWAUKEE AVE · AVONDALE, CHICAGO

Last inspected April 8, 2026 · passed

1 of 3 inspections passed, 2 passed with conditions. 4 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
3
1 passed · 2 w/ conditions
VIOLATIONS
15
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since May 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

APR 8
2026
PASSED
5 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS THAWING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ON THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.

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

OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

FEB 4
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED FOR USE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE FACILITY: BASEMENT AREA, KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO BOTH HANDWASHING SINKS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HAND SOAP NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT PREP/SERVER AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP TO FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED LIVE NON-SERVICE DOG ON PREMISES IN FRONT CUSTOMER DINING AREA NEXT TO SERVER PREP AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE TO PROHIBIT ALL LIVE NON-SERVICE ANIMALS (OR ANIMALS NOT OTHERWISE APPROVED FOR FOOD SERVICE FACILITIES BY THE DEPARTMENT) FROM ENTERING THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING NON-FOOD AREAS SUCH AS CUSTOMER SEATING AREAS/DINING ROOMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE ESCORTED NON-SERVICE ANIMAL AND OWNER OFF-PREMISES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-40-060 CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING FIXTURES TO BE IN POOR REPAIR: BASEMENT AREA HANDWASHING SINK FAUCET OBSERVED TO HAVE SMALL LEAK BUT FUNCTIONAL, BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON BASEMENT AREA UTILITY SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LISTED PLUMBING FIXTURES AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

MAY 20
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO KEEP AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE IS MADE AWARE BY THEIR EMPLOYEES INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS (2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, OVEN, STANDING MIXERS) BEING STORED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED ONE BURNTOUT LIGHTBULB UNDERNEATH THE HOODED VENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED MULTIPLE CERTIFIED FOOD CERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL CERITIFED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS RECEIVE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERIFICATE AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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 →

NEARBY IN AVONDALE