LA PALAPA.

Chicago Health Dept

3350 N HARLEM AVE · PORTAGE PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2021.

5 inspections on record since 2018 · Last inspected Jul 2021.

Last inspected Jul 2021. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUL 2021

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 29

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11--OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD AT HANDWASHING SINK AT REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AT LEFT SIDE NEXT TO POT/PAN STORAGE SHELF.

Minor Sanitation

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

4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.

Serious Food Temperature

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

4-302.13--OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR DEVICE TO MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-304.11--OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13--FOOD HANDLER WITH INCOMPLETE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13--ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

JUL 27

2021

FAIL 11 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Critical Chemical Safety

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

OBSERVED (1) CONTAINER OF SHELLFISH (OYSTERS) HELD INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER WITH NO SHELLFISH TAG/LABEL.MANAGEMENT DISCARDED,DENATURED SHELLFISH(OYSTERS) DURING THIS INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT SHELLSTOCK TAGS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ATTACHED UNTIL CONTAINER IS EMPTY OR RETAGGED AND THEREAFTER KEPT ON FILE FOR 90 DAYS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED. (COS).

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD AT HANDWASHING SINK AT REAR DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AT LEFT SIDE NEXT TO POT/PAN STORAGE SHELF.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.

Serious Food Temperature

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR DEVICE TO MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Plumbing & Waste

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

OBSERVED WASTEWATER BACKING-UP FROM OPEN SITE DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER IS FILLED AND DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C),CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED MISSING (3) LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLER WITH INCOMPLETE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

AUG 16

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ENROLL IN THE FOODSERVICE SANITATION PROGRAM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NO CITATION ISSUED

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER'S SANITATION CERTIFICATE NOT POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CRATE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR CLEAN UP POLICY/KIT ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE CLEAN UP PROCEDURES/KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED OPENINGS LEADING INTO BAR AND KITCHEN AREAS WITH NO BARRIERS.INSTRUCTED TO PUT UP BARRIERS(I.E. SWINGING DOORS TO PUT A PROTECTIVE BARRIER BETWEEN FOOD AND CUSTOMER. CORE VIOLATION

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICES AT MOP SINK,COFFEE MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL BACKFLOW AT THESE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT CORE VIOLATION

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER BEHIND BUILDING IN THE FORM OF STORE FIXTURES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE STORE FIXTURES CORE VIOLATION

APR 6

2018

PASS 1 violation

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

OBSERVED HOT LINE HOOD WITH BURNT CHAR INSIDE HOOD.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE CHAR FROM HOOD

MAR 6

2018

FAIL 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

WALK-IN FREEZER NOT MAINTAINING A TEMPERATURE OF 0 F TEMP READING AT 45 F.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR WALK-IN FREEZER. NO FOOD INSIDE FREEZER CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)

Critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

SANITIZING RINSE AT HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT 159 F.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ADJUST THE MACHINE TO 180 F SANITIZING RINSE. CRITICAL VIOATION 7-38-30

Minor Sanitation

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

INTERIOR OF WALK-IN COOER SPASHED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR UNDER EXPOSED HANDSINK AT HOT LINE AREA NEEDS CLEANING.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CEILING PANEL ABOVE DISHMACHINE PEELING.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE CEILING PANEL

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

OBSERVED HOT LINE HOOD WITH BURNT CHAR INSIDE HOOD.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE CHAR FROM HOOD. OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET HANDLES AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR FAUCET HANDLES.

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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