DEC 9
2025
PASSED
8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
THE TAMALE SPACESHIP.
YOUR CALL. 53/100
2296 S BLUE ISLAND AVE · PILSEN, CHICAGO
Last inspected December 9, 2025 · passed
6 of 10 inspections passed, 3 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 10 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
10
6 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
50
includes 10 critical
RECORDS COVER
7 YEARS
since Jul 2018
INSPECTION HISTORY
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
4-301.12 : OBSERVED POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST REMOVE POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON HOW TO SANITIZE UTENSILS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK PROPERLY.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-204.12 : OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-205.15 : OBSERVED SEVERAL HOLES IN LID OF SUMP PUMP MUST MAKE LID TIGHT FITTING AND SECURE TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED ON WALLS NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR,DAMAGED FLOOR TILE IN 1ST FL. STORAGE AREA,HOLES IN CONCRETE FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
2-102.13 : MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
2-102.13 : MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.
DEC 22025FAILED11 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
DEC 2
2025
FAILED
11 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 75 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AND ON BRICKS IN BASEMENT UNDER AND IN BETWEEN CRATES,STORAGE RACKS,ARTICLES ON FLOOR.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 12/2/25.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR STORAGE IN BASEMENT AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST REMOVE POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON HOW TO SANITIZE UTENSILS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK PROPERLY.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED SEVERAL HOLES IN LID OF SUMP PUMP MUST MAKE LID TIGHT FITTING AND SECURE TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED ON WALLS NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR,DAMAGED FLOOR TILE IN 1ST FL. STORAGE AREA,HOLES IN CONCRETE FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.
NOV 132023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
NOV 13
2023
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
FOUND BULK FOOD CONTAINERS (PASTA, SUGAR, FLOUR, MASA)WITHOUT LABELING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COMMON NAME TO ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
FOUND HOOD FILTERS FILLED WITH GREASE AND BLACK SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
AUG 42022PASSED1 violationDETAILS
AUG 4
2022
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A BROWNISH SUBSTANCE ON THE ICE MAKER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
show all 10 inspections →
JUN 132022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUN 13
2022
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(B) OBSERVED A SLITE BROWNISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTUCTED TO CLEAN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11 OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR (BY FLOOR DRAIN) LOCATED BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE FLOOR DRAIN COVER. OBSERVED SOME AREAS OF THE FLOOR NEED TO BE RE-GROUTED BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
JUN 62022FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 6
2022
FAILED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (FISH CEVICHE). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU (PRINTED AND DIGITAL) FOR ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. MANAGER CORRECTED THE PAPER AND DIGITAL MENU DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 5 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN A CORNER NEXT TO A 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND ABOUT 20 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED UNDER A UNUSED 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AT THE BOTTOM BY THE CONDENSER. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(B) OBSERVED A SLITE BROWNISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTUCTED TO CLEAN.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR DIRT DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AROUND AND UNDER REFRIGERATION UNITS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11 OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR (BY FLOOR DRAIN) LOCATED BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE FLOOR DRAIN COVER. OBSERVED SOME AREAS OF THE FLOOR NEED TO BE RE-GROUTED BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
SEP 102019PASS W/ CONDITIONS10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 10
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS, BUY MISSING SOME NECESSARY ITEMS, AND BLEACH BEING USED AS DISINFECTANT (STATES 3,500PPM BUT NO TEST STRIPS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HIGH VOLUME CHLORINE TEST STRIPS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
OBSERVED CEVICHE ON THE CATERING MENU NOT COOKED, NO WRITTEN AGREMENT OR STATEMENT FROM THE SUPPLIER STATING THE FISH SUPPLIED FOR CEVICHE IS FROZEN TO REQUIRED TIME AND TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
OBSERVED A VARIETY OF FOOD NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED(COOKED RICE, SAUCES, SALSAS ETC.) FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AT 41*F OR BELOW, SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH THE FOOD SNAL BE SOLD, COMSUMED, OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE BY AN ASTERISK BY THE RAW/UNDER COOKED ITEM, AND THE REMINDER CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEATS, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH, OR EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK FOR FOODBORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. YOU CAN USE A BROCHURES, MENU ADVISORY, LABEL STATEMENTS, TABLE TENTS, PLACARDS OR OTHER EFFECTIVE MEANS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FREEZER, COOLER, AND OVEN NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE LADIES RESTROOM WITHOUT COVER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE WALL VENT DUSTY, ALSO THE MENS RESTROOM VENT IS DUSTY, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE THE DUST.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT CERTIFICATE.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
SEE VIOLATION #60
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE ON VIOLATION #58 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING, FROM REPORT 2185040 DATE 7/25/2018, CORRECT BY DATE 10/13/2018. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
JUL 252018PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 25
2018
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRITORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST ADEQUATELY ATTACH FAUCET TO WAHBOWL IN WOMENS WASHROOM.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
JUL 132018FAILED7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 13
2018
FAILED
7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRITORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
PREMISES MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED 25-30 MICE DROPPINGS ALONG WALL OF FRONT OPEN OFFICE AREA AND AT CORNER BY COLD PREP STATION IN PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN/SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORTY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(a). NO CITATION ISSUED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND REPAIR HOLE AT CEILING ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER OF SAME AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND PROPERLY STORE OR REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AT REAR OF PREMISES.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST ADEQUATELY ATTACH FAUCET TO 2-COMP SINK IN PREP AREA AND IN WOMENS WASHROOM.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
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 →