Chicago
74
YOUR CALL

Paleteria Azteca #2

3119 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60623 · North Lawndale · Restaurant · Low risk
YOUR CALL
74/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
10
7 passed
Last Inspected
2025-09-18
Pass Rate
70%
2 failures
Score
74/100
YOUR CALL
4 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-09-18
Failed 2 inspections (2018, 2016)
Sanitation issues found across 17 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation critical 17×
🐀
Pest Activity critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📋
Documentation & Training critical
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
Chemical Safety serious
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🌡
Food Temperature critical
📌
Other minor
2025-09-18 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2022-08-29 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2019-07-01 Pass Canvass
3
serious Chemical Safety

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP IN CHEST FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NON USED/UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT ON SITE. (COFFEE MAKER, BLENDER, JUICER, PANINI MACHINE, ETC). INSTD TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

2018-08-02 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 4
critical Documentation & Training

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

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN HAND SINK AND 3- COMP SINK THAT WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN BASEMENT.

2018-07-26 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 8
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY-NO CITATION ISSUED

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX.75 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AND ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP AREA,DISH WASHING AREA,SALES FLOOR BEHIND CHEST FREEZERS,WALL OUTLETS,UNUSED WALK IN FREEZER.ALSO,SEVERAL BAGS OF RODENT POISON ON FLOOR IN SAME AREAS,INCLUDI...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

MUST MAKE FRONT AND BOTH REAR DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALONG ALL SIDES TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT ,INCLUDING UNUSED WALK IN FREEZER.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN LOWER WALL IN BASEMENT NEAR PUSH CART.

minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST REPLACE VERY DIM LIGHTING IN 1ST FL. TOILETROOM.

2016-08-26 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
1
minor Plumbing & Waste

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

REPLACE MISSING PARTS OF DIPPER WELL FOR PACKED ICE CREAM CASE. MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DISH WASHING PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL A HOOD WITH EXHAUST ABOVE THE COOKING STOVE IN THE REAR OR REMOVE STOVE FROM PREMISES

2016-08-18 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 8
critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

REFRIGERATED PREP COOLER IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE, AIR TEMP RECORDED AT 44.1F. NO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS INSIDE AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION. MUST HAVE UNIT SERVICED, MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING 40 DEGREES OR B...

critical Pest Activity

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

IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. 70 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS, IN ALL PREP, STORAGE, DISHWASHING, WASHROOM, AND BASEMENT AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, SEAL UP ANY ...

minor Sanitation

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

REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER ON THE FAN COVERS AND REMOVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM THE INTERIOR OF ALL DISPLAY CASES.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN THE INTERIOR UPPER PANEL AREA OF THE ICE MACHINE.

minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND ALL OTHER ROOMS THROUGHOUT.

minor Sanitation

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

REMOVE DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT. REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES.

minor Plumbing & Waste

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

REPLACE MISSING PARTS OF DIPPER WELL FOR PACKED ICE CREAM CASE. MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DISH WASHING PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL A HOOD WITH EXHAUST ABOVE THE COOKING STOVE IN THE REAR OR REMOVE STOVE FROM PREMISES.

minor Sanitation

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

MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS IN STORAGE AREAS AND PROPERLY ELEVATE ALL ARTICLES 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT. ELIMINATE CLUTTER INSIDE DISCONNECTED WALK-IN COOLER IN REAR(UNABLE TO PROPERLY CLEAN OR INSPECT UNIT. MUST PROPERL...

2014-08-11 Pass Canvass
1
minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NO GREASE INTERCEPTOR LOCATED FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME. NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE LINE. PROVIDE SAME.

2012-09-06 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

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

SEAL HOLE IN WALL BY ELEVATOR. SEAL HOLE IN BASEMENT WALL NEAR WASHROOM. REMOVE DUST FROM VENT FANS IN WASHROOMS ON CEILING.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN BATHROOM IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED A DIPPER WELL AT HANDPACKED ICECREAM FREEZER WITH SANITIZED WATER INSIDE BUT NO FAUCET FOR A CONSTANT FLOW OF WATER; MUST INSTALL.

minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

PROVIDE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS FOR REFRIGERATION UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA.

minor Sanitation

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

ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL STORAGE AREAS.

2010-06-02 Pass Canvass
5
minor Sanitation

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

All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; CHEST FREEZERS, TABLES, MOP SINK, HAND BOWL, AND 2PART SINK.

minor Sanitation

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

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT PREMISES, INCLUDING BASEMENT.

minor Pest Activity

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

The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES THRU-OUT AND SEAL OPENING ON CEILING AT BACK STORAGE ROOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. ALSO MUST CLEAN SOUTH WALL AT PALETAS STORAGE ROOM.

minor Food Storage & Handling

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

Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. MUST PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE FOR 1ST FLOOR WASHROOM DOOR.

minor Pest Activity

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

MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THRU-OUT PREMISES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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