TECALITLAN MEXICAN KITCHEN & MARGARITA BAR.

Chicago Health Dept

1538 N CLYBOURN AVE · OLD TOWN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (May 2026).

8 inspections on record since 2021 · Last inspected May 2026.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAY 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 20

2026

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAINS AT THE COOK LINE AREA IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARDS AT BOTH PREP STATIONS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTTING GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR CHANGE AS NEEDED AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE HOOD VENTILATION FILTERS IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING FROM GREASE BUILD UP AND THE HOOD SYSTEM UNDER AND OUTSIDE IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING FROM GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 26

2025

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

4-901.12 NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT REAR PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

MAY 6

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NOTED NO SOAP AT THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEES PUT SOAP AT SOAP DISPENSER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ON THE FLOOR, DOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

JUL 18

2024

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTILATION FANS ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOMS TO REMOVE LIGHT DUST OBSERVED.

DEC 21

2023

PASS · 0 violations

show all 8 inspections →

DEC 14

2023

FAIL 10 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED WATER SPOUT FAUCET AT HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA IS BROKEN. FACILITY MUST REPAIR HANDSINK SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AT THE COOKLINE HANDSINK IS NOT PROVIDED. MANAGER PROVIDED WHILE ON SITE. SEE ABOVE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED DISHWARE STORED THE HANDSINK BLOCKING ACCESSIBILITY TO WASH HANDS IN THE BAR AREA. MANAGER RELOCATED WHILE ON SITE. SEE ABOVE PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE SODA GUN CAP HEAVILY SOILED WITH GUNK OF DIRT. FACILITY MUST WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE SODA CAP DISPENSER IN THE BAR AREA AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE DRIP PLATE SOILED WITH PINK SLIME. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

THE METHOD OF COOLING COOKED FLAN IS INADEQUATE. FOOD MUST BE UNCOVERED DURING COOLING, IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION. MANAGER UNCOVERED WHILE ON SITE.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY OVER 25 SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS IN THE BACK DRY STORAGE AND DISH AREA. FACILITY MUST ELIMINATE SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS IN THE FACILITY USING PROPER PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A) CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

IN-USE WET/DAMP WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON COOKLINE/PREPLINE COUNTERS. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.

Minor Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

EQUIPMENT (LARGE POTS) USED IN THE FACILITY IS TOO LARGE TO FIT AND FULLY IMMERSE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST INSTALL A LARGER 3COMPARTMENT SINKTHAT WILL ALLOW ALL EQUIPMENT TO BE IMMERSED, USE SMALLER EQUIPMENT THAT CAN FIT IN THE EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR USE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF MANUAL WAREWASHING APPROVED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

TEST KITS/ TEST STRIPS OR OTHER DEVICES IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES TO MEASURE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRATION.FACILITY MUST PROVIDE A TEST KIT OR OTHER MEASURING DEVICES FOR THE EMPLOYEES CAN MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AND AVOID A CONCENTRATION THAT IS TOO HIGH, WHICH CAN BE TOXIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

NOV 17

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 1 violation

Serious Employee Hygiene

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2511109 CONDUCTED ON 6/10/21. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED: (#39) OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED ON COOKS LINE NEXT TO STEAM WELL. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK TO PROTECT FOOD FROM MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED. COS.

JUN 10

2021

PASS 4 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED ON COOKS LINE NEXT TO STEAM WELL. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK TO PROTECT FOOD FROM MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

DAMAGED INSULATION ON PIPE IN WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REPAIR.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND MULTIPLE BURNED OUT LIGHTBULBS IN VENTILATION HOOD. MUST REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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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