Chicago
85
EAT

Q Sazon Mexican Restaurant

8451 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652 · Ashburn · Restaurant · High risk
EAT
85/100

Strong record across 19 inspections — minor issues only

Inspections
19
14 passed
Last Inspected
2025-12-11
Pass Rate
74%
2 failures
Score
85/100
EAT
12 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-12-11
Failed 2 inspections (2016, 2016)
Sanitation issues found across 25 inspections
Other issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation critical 25×
📌
Other critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
Chemical Safety minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling serious
🚰
Plumbing & Waste serious
🌡
Food Temperature critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene minor
2025-12-11 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 2
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED MULTIPLE GAPS AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED A GREASE AND DUSY BUILD UP UNDER THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTURCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACES BELOW AND FOOD PREPARED IN THE AREA.

2025-04-10 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 3
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHING SLIGHTLY SOILED. INSTD TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

FLY STRIP IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER INSECT CONTROL DEVICES FOR PREP AREA

minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

STYRFOAM CUPS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER UTENSILS WITH UTENISLS FOR DISPENSING/HANDLING

2024-02-28 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Other

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

EMPLOYEE OPEN BEVERAGES IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO DRINK FROM CLOSED BEVERAGES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION

critical Pest Activity

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

CLAY/CERAMICE DRINKING CUPS ON SITE. INSTD TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD FREE OR LEAD SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON SITE; OR REMOVE CUPS FROM PREMISES.

minor Sanitation

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

RUSTY SURFACE ON BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLE IN REAR. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN

2023-01-30 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FOODS STORED IN GROCERY BAGS INSIDE THE COOLERS AND FREEZER. MUST PROPERLY STORE FOODS IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS OF BAGS.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR SIDE WALLS OF THE ICE MACHINE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DAMAGE CEILING TILES IN THE MEN WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRIANING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

2022-04-29 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF GRIME ON FLOOR IN OFFICE/STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2021-03-17 Pass Canvass
2
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOOD ITEMS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

GARBAGE CAN LID IN BATHROOM MUST BE COVERED AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MAINTAIN LID CLOSED.

2020-12-17 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
2
serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED ( REMINDER) CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU. HOWEVER NO DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR UNDERCOOKED FOODS SERVED,( STEAK,BURGERS,EGGS), COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WATER ON FLOOR BY FREEZER IN DRY STORAGE ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO KEEP FLOORS DRY IN REAR STORAGE SUPPLY ROOM.

2019-12-11 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IN A VERIFIABLE MANNER EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

critical Food Temperature

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER TEMPERATURE(80.5F) AT HAND WASHING SINK IN MEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C)

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE ON MENUS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON ALL MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF SUGAR NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED LOOSE GASKET ON LEFT DOOR OF TWO-DOOR COOLER NEAR GRILL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BASEBOARDS MISSING ALONG WALLS BEHIND ICE MACHINE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND DISH WASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELDS MISSING NEAR COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

minor Documentation & Training

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2268842 ON 3-4-19:58-OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLEREN TRAINING FROM THE CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS THAT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION LICENSE MUST COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAI...

2019-03-04 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY WITH SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY CLEAN-UP KIT ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY TO EAT/TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, SHRIMP, ETC.) WITHOUT PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL TCS FOODS PREPARED ON PREMISES AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS MUST HAVE DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. ...

minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED LARGE POTS, PANS , AND SKILLETS STORED IN AN UPWARD POSITION/IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE STORED INVERTED TO ENSURE PROPER AIR DRYING.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM THE CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL MANAGERS THAT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION LICENSE MUST COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING.

2018-04-17 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE KITCHEN STOVE TOP NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

2017-02-17 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR. INSTD TO SEAL/PAINT SAME.

minor Sanitation

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

BLACK CEILING IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO FINISH IN LIGHT COLOR.

2016-02-03 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2016-01-27 Fail Recent Inspection
1
serious Plumbing & Waste

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

OBSERVED THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP WITH A SERIOUS LEAK UPON RELEASING THE WATER FROM 1 OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030

2016-01-25 Fail Canvass
1
serious Plumbing & Waste

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

OBSERVED THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP WITH A SERIOUS LEAK UPON RELEASING THE WATER FROM 1 OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030

2015-06-30 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED MASA STORED IN A GROCERY BAG, INSTRUCTED TO STORE IMPROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINER OR BAGGIE, ZIP LOCK BAG ETC.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DUSTY KITCHEN VENT REAR STORAGE, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

2014-11-06 Pass Canvass
5
minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS.

minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE MEN'S/WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. MUST MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENT IN THE HALL WAY LEADING TO THE PREP AREA.

minor Food Storage & Handling

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

INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHILD'S BED IN THE OFFICE/STORAGE AREA BY THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.

2014-06-12 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2013-12-05 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

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

NEED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLER AND FREEZER.

2013-05-08 Pass License
2
minor Sanitation

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

NEED TO CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS.

minor Facility Condition

ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN THE FOOD-PREP AREA

NEED GATE, SWINGING DOOR,CART ETC.SOME THING TO KEEP CUSTOMERS FROM WALKING INTO THE REAR PREP AREA.,

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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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