LA PENA.
4104 W NORTH AVE · BELMONT CRAGIN, CHICAGO
Failed 4 of 12 inspections. 17 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
JUN 62025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. MUST INSTALL SERVICE SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND NECESSARY BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
JUN 62025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
5-203.13 OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. MUST INSTALL SERVICE SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND NECESSARY BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
MAY 162025FAILED4 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
OSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ONSITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED APPOXIMATELY 100 RODENT DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN AND BAR AREA ALONG WALLS AND UNDER AND BEHIND COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. CONTACT PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A)
OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. MUST INSTALL SERVICE SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND NECESSARY BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FLOORS IN DISREPAIR IN BAR AND IN KITCHEN. MUST CLOSE ALL HOLES AND POINTS OF ENTRY FOR RODENTS. REPAIR ALL AREAS OF FLOOR AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE CONDITION AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 292024FAILED19 violations8 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE FOOD PREP AREA AND THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS ACCESSIBLE TO THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AREA.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c).
OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY WATER HOSE BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE.
OBSERVED NO SANITIZER ON SITE FOR SANITIZING DISHES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SANITIZER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND IN CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE CONTRACT, LOGBOOK AND RECENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C)
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF WOMENS TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE HOOD VENTILATION FILTERS WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF HELPING PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS BEING PREPARED AS IT SITS OVER A COLD PREP STATION.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING PROVIDED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE FOOD ITEMS.
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
JUL 202023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
show all 12 inspections →
JUL 112023FAILED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
CLEAN THE GREASE AND SOOT ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
DEC 82021PASS W/ CONDITIONS10 violations5 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES AND SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK AT THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA THAT IS CONVENIENT TO USE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK THAT IS SUPPLIED WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C)NO CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN BATHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST IDENTIFY PRODUCT SHELF LIFE OR CONSUME BY DATING (7DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED BEHIND BEHIND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND BASEMENT DRY STORAGE ARE. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
JAN 302018PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED MINOR CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS INSIDE FREEZER AND COOLER IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL WITH HOLD ON BASEBOARD UNDER THE BAR TABLE INSIDE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/SEAL AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR AT CORNERS AND FLOOR ALONG THE WALL AND BAR COUNTERTOP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER WHICH IS NOT BEING USED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID WALK-IN COOLER IN GOOD CONDITION.
OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT WASHBOWL IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ARTICLES ON FLOOR AT CORNERS NEXT TO AUDIO/TV AND DINING TABLES AND IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, ELEVATE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES 6-INCH OFF THE FLOOR AND BETTER ORGANITIZE TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY.
JAN 302017FAILED10 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE.OBSERVED 10 BOTTLES OF BEER STORED DOWN INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE .THE ICE IS USED ALSO FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND BOTTLES OF BEER,CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-38-005A)
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 75 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS IN VARIOUS AREAS SUCH AS ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES OF STOVE,REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS,3- COMP SINK DRAIN BOARD AND UNDER & ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES,INSIDE OF FRYER CABINET,ON WOOD LEDGE UNDER 3- COMP BAR SINK,ON FLOOR IN DJ BOOTH.ALSO APPX."3/4" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RODENT PROOF DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 1/30/17.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)
OBSERVED HAND SINKS IN CUSTOMERS TOILETROOMS NOT MAINTAINED.OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HAND SINK IN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOILETROOM.MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT ALL TIMES.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-38-030)
MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS IN DISH WASHING AREA.
MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM SHELVING UNITS IN GLASS REACH IN COOLER IN PREP AREA AND RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN 4- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM FRYER CABINET,MICROWAVE,PREP TABLES,ALL PREP AND REACH IN COOLERS,GRILL TABLE,INTERIOR BASIN OF 3- COMP SINKS IN PREP AND BAR AREA,EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.
MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOOR UNDER ,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP AND BAR AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN FLOOR AND MISSING FLOOR TILE UNDER TABLE IN REAR SEATING AREA
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES IN WOMEN'S STALL TOILETROOM.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM WALLS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA.
MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR BAR 3- COMP SINK.
MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN PREP AREA AND PREP TABLES.
APR 82016PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE 4 DOOR COOLER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
OBSERVED THE WALL NOT CLEAN BEHIND THE COOKING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. GIVEN COPY OF IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER INFO. AT THIS TIME.
JUN 182015PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
FOUND RACKS INSIDE REACH IN COOLERS RUSTY. MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR.
FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
FOUND MISSING CEILING TILES BY DISHWASHING AREAS AND BAR. MUST REPLACE.
FOUND NO EXPOSED HAND SINK AT BAR AREAS. MUST INSTALL. FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
FOUND CLUTTER AT BASEMENT THAT MUST BE REMOVED. OLD EQUIPMENT, BOXES, ETC.)
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 →