TAQUERIA SANTA RITA.

Chicago Health Dept

2752 W LAWRENCE AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2017.

10 inspections on record since 2011 · Last inspected Mar 2017.

Last inspected Mar 2017. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2017

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 3

2017

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RAW WOODEN SURFACES BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTERS.INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL RAW WOODEN SURFACES USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

FEB 24

2017

FAIL 6 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MACHINE--ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO TURN OFF MACHINE,REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED.SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RAW WOODEN SURFACES BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTERS.INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL RAW WOODEN SURFACES USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR PREP AREA,MUST CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACES OF MICROWAVE OVEN ETC,MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

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

OBSERVED LIGHT BULBS INSIDE STAND-UP COOLERS NOT SHIELDED.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD OR PROVIDE SHATTER-PROOF LIGHTS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NO HANDSINK AT THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN AN EXPOSED HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE, SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS. NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK AND AT WATER LINE FOR THE ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

SEP 8

2016

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE UPRIGHT MEAT COOLER IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALL NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Temperature

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE REAR COLD HOLDING UNIT LOCATED NEXT TO MEAT UPRIGHT FREEZER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MAY 5

2015

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.

Minor Sanitation

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

GASKETS TO REACH-IN COOLER DOOR IN POOR REPAIR, AND HANDLE BROKEN AT TOP AREA DOOR TO PREP COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND REPLACE BROKEN HANDLE,

Minor Sanitation

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

CEILING TILE NOT MAINTAINED THROUGH-OUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL DAMAGED CEILING TILE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND BETTER MAINTAIN,

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,

OCT 29

2014

PASS 5 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

FOODS INSIDE FREEZER NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOODS IN FOOD GRADE FREEZER OR STORAGE BAGS.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.

Minor Sanitation

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

EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS, INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE CUTTING BOARDS AND STORAGE SHELVES NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DAILY.

Minor Sanitation

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

CEILING TILE NOT MAINTAINED THROUGH-OUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL DAMAGED CEILING TILE. LIGHT COVERS IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL LIGHT COVERS. WALLS IN PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND/OR REPAINT SURFACE.

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APR 17

2014

PASS 5 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

FOODS NOT PROPERLY STORED IN FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOODS IN FOOD GRADE MATERIAL STORAGE/FREEZER BAGS.

Minor Sanitation

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

STORAGE SHELVES, EXHAUST HOOS AND FILTERS AND INTERIOR PARTS OF ICEMACHNE NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND ALONG WALLBASE NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DAILY.

Minor Sanitation

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

CEILING TILES NOT MAINTANED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES. LIGHT AND VENTILATION COVERS NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

THERMOMETER NOT PROVIDED INSIDE REAR STORAGE ROOM REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER CONSPICUOUSLY INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

JUL 23

2013

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS/GREASE BUILD-UP ON EQUIPMENT; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE; COOLERS, CHEST FREEZERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, MOP SINK, BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES, AND STORAGE SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.

Minor Sanitation

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

DEBRIS/FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS; MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS AT BOTH PREP AREAS AND STORAGE AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED DAMAGED CEILING PANELS, OPENINGS AROUND PIPES, EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP ON HOOD AND FILTERS AND DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING ATTACHMENTS; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING PANELS, SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES AT REAR PREP AREA, DETAIL CLEAN HOOD, FILTER, VENT COVERS IN WASHROOMS AND CEILING ATTACHMENT AT DINING AREAS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLOSING DEVICE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NO BACK FLOW PREVENTER FOR ICE MACHINE; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTER.

JAN 29

2013

PASS 7 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

PREP FOODS INSIDE STORAGE COOLERS AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO DATE/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

INSTRCUTED TO PROPERLY STORED CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

BOTTOM PANEL OF ONE PREP TABLE AT REAR PREP AREA NEAR 3PART SINK IN POOR REPAIR, (BROKEN), INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

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

: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND SANITIZE THE BOTTOM INTERIOR OF THE CHEST FREEZER AND REACH IN FREEZER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DEFROST ALSO(WITH HEAVY ICE ACCUMULATED). MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE TUBE AND MAINTAIN. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL EXTERIOR OF THE STOVE WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING PANELS AT REAR DISH WASHING AREA AND CLEAN WEST WALL NEAR PREP TABLE AT SAME AREA. ALSO NOTED DUST BUILD-UP ON CEILING FANS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

3PART SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR, LEAKING, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORED CLEANING TOWELS IN AN APPROVED SANITIZER.

DEC 7

2012

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPER FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.(DRAIN STOPPERS ARE ALL BROKEN). FOUND KNIVES ALL OVER THE FRONT CABINET AND BESIDE THE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE KNIFE RACK TO STORE THE KIVES.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND SANITIZE THE BOTTOM INTERIOR OF THE CHEST FREEZER AND REACH IN FREEZER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DEFROST ALSO(WITH HEAVY ICE ACCUMULATED). MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE TUBE AND MAINTAIN. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL EXTERIOR OF THE STOVE WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

HOOD WITH HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION(NOT ON TOP OF THE ICE).

JUN 15

2011

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES, OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WASHING HIS HANDS INSIDE 3PART SINK, (TWICE); ALSO A WAITRESS WASHED HER HANDS INSIDE THE SAME SINK. INSTRUCTED, HAND MUST BE WASHED INSIDE THE EXPOSED SINK WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP. THE WASHING OF HANDS IN A UTENSILS WASHING SINK IS PROHIBITED. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-010(A).

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. PREP FOODS INSIDE STORAGE COOLER AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, MUST LABEL.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. MUST PROPERLY STORED CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES.

Minor Sanitation

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

All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REPLACE BROKEN DOOR GASKETS ON FRONT PREP AREA PREP REACH IN COOLER, AND REAR PREP AREA COOLER; ALSO MUST SEAL RUSTY BOTTOM PANEL OF PREP TABLE, AT REAR PREP AREA.

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. MICROWAVE OVEN, COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS, BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES, NOT CLEAN; MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE.

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. FLOORS AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS NOT CLEAN, MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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 PANELS THRU-OUT PREMISES AND CLEAN FILTER UNDER HOOD.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

MUST REPLACE MISSING SELF-CLOSING DEVICES ON TOILET ROOM DOORS.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.

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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