THE TAMALE SPACESHIP.

Chicago Health Dept

2296 S BLUE ISLAND AVE · PILSEN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

10 inspections on record since 2018 · Last inspected Dec 2025 · 3 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 9

2025

PASS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

Serious Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12 : OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13 : MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 : MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.

DEC 2

2025

FAIL 11 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

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)

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR STORAGE IN BASEMENT AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.

Serious Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED SEVERAL HOLES IN LID OF SUMP PUMP MUST MAKE LID TIGHT FITTING AND SECURE TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.

DEC 10

2024

PASS · 0 violations

NOV 13

2023

PASS 2 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

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.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND HOOD FILTERS FILLED WITH GREASE AND BLACK SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 4

2022

PASS 1 violation

Serious Sanitation

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.

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JUN 13

2022

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 6

2022

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Other

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.

Critical Pest Activity

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).

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

SEP 10

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 10 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Sanitation

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.

Critical Food Temperature

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.

Serious Chemical Safety

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.

Serious Chemical Safety

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.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FREEZER, COOLER, AND OVEN NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE LADIES RESTROOM WITHOUT COVER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE WALL VENT DUSTY, ALSO THE MENS RESTROOM VENT IS DUSTY, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE THE DUST.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT CERTIFICATE.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

SEE VIOLATION #60

Minor Other

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 25

2018

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ADEQUATELY ATTACH FAUCET TO WAHBOWL IN WOMENS WASHROOM.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.

JUL 13

2018

FAIL 7 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Other

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.

Critical Pest Activity

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND REPAIR HOLE AT CEILING ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER OF SAME AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND PROPERLY STORE OR REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AT REAR OF PREMISES.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ADEQUATELY ATTACH FAUCET TO 2-COMP SINK IN PREP AREA AND IN WOMENS WASHROOM.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.

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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