JUL 28
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
PALENQUE INC..
YOUR CALL. 73/100
2756 W 55TH ST · BRIGHTON PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected July 28, 2025 · passed
9 of 14 inspections passed, 1 failed, 4 passed with conditions. 9 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
14
9 passed · 4 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
64
includes 9 critical
RECORDS COVER
13 YEARS
since Mar 2012
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
RUSTY WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN
SEP 262024PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
SEP 26
2024
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
OBSERVED LIGHT BUILD UP ON DOOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED BUILD-UP ON FILTERS ABOVE GRILL IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REQUIRE FOOD HANDLER TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
SEP 142023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
SEP 14
2023
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTD TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN
OCT 72022PASSED10 violationsDETAILS
OCT 7
2022
PASSED
10 violationsDETAILS
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON SIDE LEDGE OF ICE MACHINE STORE ICE SCOOP IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Violation Codes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D) Inspector Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Violation Codes: 4-903.11(A;C) Inspector Comments: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Violation Codes: 4-601.11(C) Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN BUILD UP ON INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT PREMISES,DAMAGED WALL TILE AND WALL BASES UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK,BEHIND WALK IN COOLER AND AT FRONT WINDOW NEXT TO STEAM TABLE,HOLE IN WALL IN TOILET ROOM,DAMAGED FLOOR TILES NEAR REAR DOOR,FRONT PREP AREA AND WERE NEEDED.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Violation Codes: 6-501.14 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTER AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Violation Codes: 4-301.14 Inspector Comments: MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Violation Codes: 6-202.11 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN DISH WASHING AREA.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR NEW FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE.
SEP 302022FAILED12 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 30
2022
FAILED
12 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED FRONT HAND SINK WITH A ROLLING CART STORED IN FRONT OF AND THE REAR HAND SINK WITH A TRAY AND 2- BOWLS INSIDE OF HAND SINK BASIN WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED. ARTICLES WERE REMOVED DURING INSPECTION. MUST KEEP HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON SIDE LEDGE OF ICE MACHINE STORE ICE SCOOP IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN BUILD UP ON INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE DRIPPING ALONG BOTH SIDES AND POOLING ON TO GROUND MUST REMOVE GREASE FROM CONTAINER AND GROUND AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT PREMISES,DAMAGED WALL TILE AND WALL BASES UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK,BEHIND WALK IN COOLER AND AT FRONT WINDOW NEXT TO STEAM TABLE,HOLE IN WALL IN TOILET ROOM,DAMAGED FLOOR TILES NEAR REAR DOOR,FRONT PREP AREA AND WERE NEEDED.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN DISH WASHING AREA.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTER AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR NEW FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE.
show all 14 inspections →
FEB 42021PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 4
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
BOTH SIDES OF TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT CLEAN, BLACK DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
SEE 60
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 4/24/2019 REPORT 2285675 NOT CORRECTED; 58 OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS PRIORUTY FOUNDATION 7-42-090
APR 242019PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 24
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING ON TCS FOODS IN FRONT PREP COOLER AND WALK IN COOLER. MUST LABEL ALL TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD OR SELL BY DATE, NO MORE THAN 7 DAYS FROM THE PREPARATION DATE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED ALLERGEN LABEL MISSING ON PACKAGED DESERTS IN THE DISPLAY COOLER. MUST LABEL THE NAME OF THE FOOD SOURCES OF ANY MAJOR FOOD ALLERGENS (I.E. MILK, EGGS, ETC.) MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED IMPROPER LABELS ON FOODS PACKAGED DESERTS IN THE DISPLAY COOLER. (DESERT BEAR LABEL WITH SELL BY DATE AND INGREDIENTS ONLY.) TCS PACKAGED FOODS SHALL BE LABELED AS SPECIFIED BY LAW. LABELS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: THE COMMON NAME OF FOOD; A LIST OF INGREDIENTS; AN ACCURATE NET QUANTITY; AND THE NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER, AND A SELL BY DATE. MUST CORRECTLY LABEL ALL ITEMS IN DISPLAY COOLER.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED DRY STORAGE ITEMS (VEGETABLE OIL, ETC.) STORED INSIDE RESTROOM. MUST REMOVE THESE ITEMS. INSTRUCTED MUST NOT STORE ANY DRY STORAGE ITEMS, UTENSILS OR FOOD RELATED ITEMS IN RESTROOM TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED RESTROOM DOOR OPEN TO REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED ALL RESTROOM DOORS IN PREP AREAS MUST BE SELF CLOSING. MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED BOXES AND DRY STORAGE ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT FACILITY ON FLOORS. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR TO ALLOW FOR PROPER CLEANING. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
MAY 262017PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAY 26
2017
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
OBSERVED THE WALL IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN POOR REPAIR, BEHIND HANDSINK FRONT,SIDE CUP/LID STORAGE,KNIFE RACK, AND SIDE OF THE REAR 2 DOOR COOLER, INSREUCTED TO REPAIR.
FEB 192016PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 19
2016
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED COOKED RICE WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 45.3F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 80# OF FOOD WORTH $100. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES DURING THE INSPECTION. OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WASH AND RINSE THEIR HANDS IN THE 1 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK INSTEAD OF THE HANDWASHING SINK, AND USE COMMON TOWELS TO DRY THEIR HANDS. ALSO, OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE PUT ON A PAIR OF GLOVES WITHOUT FIRST WASHING THEIR HANDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK TO WASH THEIR HANDS AND YO WASH THEIR HANDS IN BETWEEN CHANGING GLOVES OR PUTTING ON GLOVES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.
SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE WASH AND RINSE UTENSILS AND DISHES WITHOUT SANITIZING THEM AND THEN PUT THEM ON A SHELF TO DRY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE DISHES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1547300 ON 6/18/15 NOT CORRECTED: 45 - FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS, RECORDS IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
JUN 182015PASS W/ CONDITIONS9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 18
2015
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
NO SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE AT REAR EXPOSED HANDSINK OR IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND HAVE ACCESSIBLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, RICE, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. CITAITON ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS.
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
CLEAN EQUIPMENT IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (ELEVATE AND INVERT).
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
EXTERIOR TOP OF GREASE TRAP WITH RUSTY SURFACE. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN. 2 DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER RUBBER GASKETS IN POOR REPAIR. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME. GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTD TO STORE FOOD IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
LIGHTSHIELDS NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
LARGE POTS ON SITE THAT ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETELY SUBMERGE IN BASIN OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF LARGEST MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT ON SITE.
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERES. PROVIDE SAME.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO REMOVE SAME.
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS, RECORDS IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
JUN 122014PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUN 12
2014
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED GREASE TRAP RUSTY AND UNCLEAN. REMOVE RUST AND RESTORE SURFACE TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS ON EACH SIDE OF HAND WASH SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
MOVE OR INSTALL ADDITIONAL PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER/HOLDER ABOVE REAR HAND WASH SINK THAT IT IS CONVENIENT AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
MAY 12013PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 1
2013
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
MUST REPAIR VENTILATION IN WASHROOM IN REAR OF PREMISES
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER WHERE RAW CHICKEN IS STORED AT FRONT PREP AREA
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
REMOVE CLUTTER FROM WASHROOM IN REAR OF PREMISES AND REMOVE CLUTTER IN REAR NEAR 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
DEC 42012PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
DEC 4
2012
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
CLEAN THE HOOD,FILTERS, FRYER AND CABINET BELOW HAS SOME GREASE BUILDUP ON THEM.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND ALONG THE FLOORS AND IN THE CORNERS THEY ARE DUSTY.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS ABOVE THEY ARE DUSTY.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
CLUTTER IN THE FRONT STORE ROOM/OFFICE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGNIZE SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.
APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
SOME EMPLOYEES NO WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT EMPLOYEES MUST WERE HATS,CAPS OR HAIR NETS WHEN HANDLING FOOD.
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 →