JAN 8
2026
PASSED
7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TAMALE LADY INC.
EAT. 78/100
1932 W CERMAK RD · PILSEN, CHICAGO
Last inspected January 8, 2026 · passed
2 of 3 inspections passed, with 2 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
3
2 passed · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
12
includes 2 critical
RECORDS COVER
10 MONTHS
since Mar 2025
INSPECTION HISTORY
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
HANDWASHING SIGNS IN NEED OF REPLACING. WET/DRY CURLED UP INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
OBSERVED A BAG OF FROZEN CHILIES (NON TCS) THAWING ON COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
ALL BULF ITEMS SHOULD BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH IDENTIFIYING MARKERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS AT BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL STANDING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
HOOD VENT AT 1ST FLOOR PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND HOOD AT BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE NEEDED FOR MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN
MAR 112025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAR 11
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS MUST MEET REQUIREMENT.
MAR 62025FAILED4 violationsDETAILS
MAR 6
2025
FAILED
4 violationsDETAILS
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW, SUCH AS EGG ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE FOR ALL ITEMS ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
4-301.11 OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER AND A PREP COOLER NOT TURNED ON AND MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED A HOT HOLDING UNIT NOT TURNED ON AND MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN 135F OR ABOVE FOR ALL HOT HOLDING UNITS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
3-306.11 OBSERVED MULTIPLE POTS STORED OUTSIDE IN THE BACKYARD AREA OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE STORED INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS MUST MEET REQUIREMENT.
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 →