APR 2
2025
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TAQUERIA LA FOGATA.
EAT. 77/100
3930 W MONTROSE AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO
Last inspected April 2, 2025 · passed
Passed all 11 inspections, but 5 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
11
7 passed · 4 w/ conditions
VIOLATIONS
36
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
9 YEARS
since Aug 2015
INSPECTION HISTORY
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 82024PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violationsDETAILS
OCT 8
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violationsDETAILS
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
REPEAT CORE VIOLATION. CORRECTED ON SITE. SEE VIOLATION #60.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON EXTERIOR OF USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER LOCATED IN REAR PARKING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
REPEAT CORE VIOLATION. SEE VIOLATION #60.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2581650 DATED 9/13/2023: #35 " OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING PROCEDURE OF FROZEN BEEF. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, THAWING MUST OCCUR UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR LESS OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER OR THAWED IN A MICROWAVE OVEN AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO CONVENTIONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH NO INTERRUPTION IN THE PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES." #58 " FOUND EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
SEP 132023PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
SEP 13
2023
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING PROCEDURE OF FROZEN BEEF. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, THAWING MUST OCCUR UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR LESS OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER OR THAWED IN A MICROWAVE OVEN AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO CONVENTIONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH NO INTERRUPTION IN THE PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CONDENSER FAN COVER INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AND MUST CLEAN CEILING VENT COVER INSIDE WASHROOM.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
FOUND EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
NOV 102022PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 10
2022
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK IN UNISEX WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED RUSTS ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUSTS AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES. OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT MANUAL SINK STOPPER DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 62021PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 6
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
OBSERVED NO HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY BETWEEN 1:40-2:00PM WHILE FACILITY WAS OPEN AND OPERATING. PLUMBER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 2PM AND CORRECTED VIOLATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
show all 11 inspections →
AUG 52020PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 5
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED SUPPLIES MISSING FROM VOMIT AND DIARRHEA KIT (DISPOSABLE APRON, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP HEAD). MUST PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED TO ELEVATE FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST STORE FOOD ITEMS ON PROPER SHELVING.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN UNISEX BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
AUG 122019PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 12
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
METAL STEM THERMOMETER NOT CALIBRATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED 2 CEILING TILES NOT TIGHT FITTED ABOVE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CEILING TILES MUST BE TIGHT FITTED.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED ONE CEILING LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT ABOVE COOKLINE. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING LIGHT BULB.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
FEB 132018PASSED1 violationDETAILS
FEB 13
2018
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE SIDE OF THE GRILL TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 202017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MAR 20
2017
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER CONDENSER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLER CONDENSER.
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
OBSERVED 1 BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULB ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB.
MAY 242016PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
MAY 24
2016
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR PUBLIC VIEW AT ALL TIMES.DID FIND ONE POSTED AT THIS TIME.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH FRYERS AT THE COOKING AREA. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM PORTION AND BOTH CORNERS OF THE ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE SLIGHT BUILD-UP.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EXHAUST HOOD FILTERS AT THE EXHAUST CANOPY.
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
MUST PROVIDE ALL FOOF STAFF WITH THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CETIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. ALSO MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF HIRE DATE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES BY MAINTAINING PROPER RECORD LOGS.
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 →