JAN 2
2025
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TORTILLERIA EL REY INC.
YOUR CALL. 55/100
2701 S TRUMBULL AVE · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO
Last inspected January 2, 2025 · passed
4 of 7 inspections passed, 3 failed. 10 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
4 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
35
includes 10 critical
RECORDS COVER
8 YEARS
since Jan 2017
INSPECTION HISTORY
DEC 232024FAILED2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
DEC 23
2024
FAILED
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION ON PERSON OR ON SITE. INFORMED THE MANAGER ON SITE/DUTY MUST HAVE AND PROVIDE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING PRODUCING READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
OBSERVED CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE FROM INSPECTION #2578643 OF JULY 17, 2023. 4-501.11 OBSERVED THE GASKET ON THE TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE SALES AREA BROKEN AND TAPED DOWN WITH DUCK TAPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR GASKET AND MAINTAIN. STILL NOT REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
JUL 172023PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUL 17
2023
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED THE GASKET ON THE TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE SALES AREA BROKEN AND TAPED DOWN WITH DUCK TAPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 272023FAILED19 violations5 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 27
2023
FAILED
19 violations5 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOOD CORN TORTILLA WITH BARE HANDS ON PRODUCTION LINE. FOOD EMPLOYEES’ MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. MUST USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND WASHING SINKS THROUGHTOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED SALT OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED PACKAGED CHEESE AND PICKLED JALAPENO NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH INGREDIENTS, NET WEIGHT, ALLERGENS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED COOKIES AND DESSERTS.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN 2ND FLOOR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FLOOR IN FRYING PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED NO CHLORINE OR QUAT SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE CONDENSOR THROUGHTOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTTOM OF WALK-IN COOLER WITH MOLD LIKE ACCUMULATION INSIDE 2 FLOOR WALK-IN COOLER.
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 90.5F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED WITHOUT HOT WATER DUE TO HOT WATER HANDLE BROKEN AND HOT WATER TURNED OFF, HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION WAS 45F INSTRUCTED MANAGER PROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT A MINIMUM OF 100.0F OR HIGHER THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE AT LEAST 110.0F TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF WOMENS TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON FANS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
show all 7 inspections →
JAN 312017FAILED11 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
JAN 31
2017
FAILED
11 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
REACH IN COOLER ON SITE NOT ON OR AVAILABLE FOR TESTING. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
NO HOT WATER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
ADDITIONAL HANDSINKS NEEDED IN PREP AREA. 2 NEEDED AT PACKAGING LINE AND 1 NEEDED AT COOKING STATION. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
ALL TORTILLA CUTTING MOLDS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED ENVIROMENT. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
REAR DOCK DOOR IN NEED OF RODENT PROOFING, LARGE GAP AT ALL SIDES OF DOOR. FRONT DOOR IN NEED OF RODENT PROOFING 1/4 IN GAP MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
3 COMPARTENT SINK MUST BE LARGE ENOUGH TO SUBMERSE YOUR LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTALL LARGER SINK. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE CLEAN, FREE FROM CONSTRUCTION DUST. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
FLOORS THROUGH OUT IN NEED OF CLEANING. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
LIGHTS IN NEED OF SHEILDING MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
GREASE TRAP MUST BE INSTALLED ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
ALL CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL MUST BE REMOVED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
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 →