PONCE RESTAURANT.

Chicago Health Dept

4313 W FULLERTON AVE · BELMONT CRAGIN, CHICAGO

Failed most recent inspection (Jun 2026).

7 inspections on record since 2024 · Last inspected Jun 2026 · 2 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
7
VIOLATIONS
29
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
JUN 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 24
2026
FAIL 5 violations 1 CRITICAL
Minor Food Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Critical Pest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 MOUSE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZERS, STORAGE RACKS, IN CORNER NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER AND UNDER THE STORAGE SHELVES ON STORAGE RACKS AND SHELVES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN REAR EXPOSED HAND SINK AND BULK CONTAINER OF RICE. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM FLOOR DRAIN IN FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS FROM FLOORS IN REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

NOV 4
2025
PASS 1 violation
Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11: NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD RICE&CUTTING BOARD STORED NEXT TO HANDSINK IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MOVE RICE STORAGE BIN AND CUTTING BOARD OR INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 24
2025
FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL
Serious Food Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

3-501.16(A:2,&B) OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE A PREVIOUSLY TAGGED WALK-IN COOLER.FOUND 3 BINS OF BEEF (46.2F-48.7F), A CONTAINER OF BEANS 45.0F. APPROXIMATELY 215LBS AT $300 WORTH OF FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0°F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

4-301.11 OBSERVED AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF A WALK-IN COOLER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY TAGGED ON 08/08/2025. TCS FOOD ITEMS WERE STORED INSIDE THE UNIT AT THIS TIME. UNIT REMAINS TAGGED AND SHALL NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH. INSTRUCTED COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST REACH AND MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Critical Pest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-501.111 OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON SITE. MICE DROPPINGS WERE FOUND ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA SURROUNDING HOT AND COLD HOLDING UNITS, IN THE REAR EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM, NEAR THE SPEAKER IN THE DINING AREA NEAR THE SPEAKER, AND ON THE LOWER SHELF UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. SUGGESTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11: NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD RICE&CUTTING BOARD STORED NEXT TO HANDSINK IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MOVE RICE STORAGE BIN AND CUTTING BOARD OR INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 8
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations
Serious Food Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD AT KITCHEN PREP COOLER, KITCHEN 2 DOOR COOLER, AND KITCHEN WALK-IN COOLER. PREP COOLER: SWEET PLANTAINS 47.8 F SLICED TOMATOES 48, CHOPPED LETTUCE 46.2, CHICKEN 49.4 2 DOOR COOLER: MALANGA(PLANTAIN) 46.4 F, BACALAITOS (FISH) BLOOD SAUSAGE 47.8 F, SHISH KABOB 44.6 F AND IN WALK-IN COOLER: CHEESE 45.1 F, PORK 49.7 F, PERSON IN CHARGE REMOVED ALL OTHER TCS FOODS (MIXED LEAFY GREENS, COOKED RICE, DELI MEAT, SHREDDED CHEESE, CONDIMENTS, BEEF EMPANADAS, BEEF STEW, CHICKEN STEW, BEANS, PORK CHOPS) FROM COOLER AND DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 170 LBS VALUED AT $1717 PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION

Serious Chemical Safety
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

NOTED POTATOES IN WATER IN BUCKET THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD DISH SOAP. DISCARDED 3 LBS OF POTATOES VALUED AT $10. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. COS, CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

NOTED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT. AMBIENT AIR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR 59.5 F, PREP COOLER 47.7 F, WALK-IN COOLER 47.1 F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED UNITS TAGGED

Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD RICE&CUTTING BOARD STORED NEXT TO HANDSINK IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MOVE RICE STORAGE BIN AND CUTTING BOARD OR INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 7
2025
PASS 2 violations
Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

Minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

show all 7 inspections →
OCT 18
2024
PASS 6 violations
Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

Minor Sanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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

NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL

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

OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

OCT 8
2024
FAIL 7 violations 1 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR/DISHWASHING AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE DUE TO IT LEAKING WHEN IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

Minor Sanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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

NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL

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

OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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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