5411 Empanadas
Last inspected: Jan 6, 2026
100
Score
Public records show 14 inspections at 5411 Empanadas stretching back to 2016. The most recent report on file is from Jan 6, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing seven times across the record.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 6, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 17, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE NOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SUCH AS BEEF, CHICKEN AND CHORIZO EMPANADAS. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER HAS TO BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE WHO IS A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED
1
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA WARMINING UP FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
40
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS IN REAR PREPARATION AREA MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR.
45
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON LIGHTSHIELDS COVERS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
64
Jan 17, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 OBSERVED UNLOCKED BOX FREEZERS (3) FILLED WITH FROZEN EMPANADAS IN THE HALLWAY TOWARD THE WASHROOMS WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS TO THE STORED FOODS. MUST STORE ALL FOODS PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONTAMINATION.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.11(B, C, D, E) INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER DAMAGED WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE OR REPLACE.
47
90
Jan 9, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION.
1
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. LAST PEST SERVICE REPORT AVAILABLE DATED 4-26-22. MUST HAVE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDE A CURRENT SERVICE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER DAMAGED WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE OR REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING INSIDE THE COOLERS.----MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING ABOVE THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED FLOOR DRAINS UNDER BOTH THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS WITH EXCESSIVE RUST AND DIRT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INOPERABLE METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE UNABLE TO MONITOR HOT COOKING TEMPERATURES OF EMPANADAS AND COLD FOODS. MUST PROVIDE. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNLOCKED BOX FREEZERS (3) FILLED WITH FROZEN EMPANADAS IN THE HALLWAY TOWARD THE WASHROOMS WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS TO THE STORED FOODS. MUST STORE ALL FOODS PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONTAMINATION.
39
55
Mar 7, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASH SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS.
10
95
Mar 15, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING TILES/CEILING VENTILATION COVER ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE MISSING CEILING LIGHT BULB COVER AND ONE LOOSE CEILING LIGHT BULB COVER ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE LIGHT COVER/MAKE CEILING LIGHT COVERS TIGHT FITTED ABOVE PREP AREA.
56
86
Mar 19, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
95
Jul 30, 2020
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF REAR PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ACCUMULATED ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Oct 1, 2019
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NEWLY PURCHASED SPLASH GUARD FOR THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK MUST BE PERMANENTLY ATTACHED.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD PREPARERS, HANDLERS WITH BEARDS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINTS.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WOODEN SERVING PLATES IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPS, CRACKED AND DEEP CUTS IN WOOD. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
86
Sep 24, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINES UPPER WATER DISPENSER WITH A BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE ON ICE FOR CONSUMPTION SURFACES AND WATER RESERVOIR DISPENSER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL BLACK SLIME FROM ALL AREAS, SANITIZER ALL INTERIOR OF THE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS AREA BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 12-10-18 #2243351 NOT CORRECTED. #'S 36- MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER IN THE FRONT PREP MILK STORAGE COOLER. MUST REPLACE.#39- MISSING SPLASH GUARD ON FRONT PREP HAND WASHING SINK. BETWEEN FRONT HAND SINK AND CLEAN STORED DISHES. MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARD.#54- EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND UNUSED ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR WALKWAY TO THE OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLE. MUST REMOVE AND KEEP AREA CLEAN AND CLEAR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.#56- MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP. MUST REPLACE.#56- NOTED EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGINGS STORED IN FOOD PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED STORAGE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS.#58-: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL PRE-PACKAGED BEVERAGES ON DISPLAY FOR SALE MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND LIST OF INGREDIENTS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: BOX FREEZERS FILLED WITH PREPARED, FROZEN EMPANADAS STORED IN THE REAR WASHROOM HALLWAY WITH PUBLIC ACCESS MUST BE LOCKED, PROTECTED DURING STORAGE FROM PUBLIC CONTAMINATION.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD PREPARERS, HANDLERS WITH BEARDS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINTS.
40
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED BOXED ITEMS AT THE FRONT PREP AREA MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WOODEN SERVING PLATES IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPS, CRACKED AND DEEP CUTS IN WOOD. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
58
Dec 10, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER IN THE FRONT PREP MILK STORAGE COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MISSING SPLASH GUARDS ON BOTH HAND WASHING SINKS. BETWEEN THE SANITIZING DRYING RACK AT THE REAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BETWEEN FRONT HAND SINK AND CLEAN STORED DISHES. MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: SOILED LINENS IMPROPERLY STORED PILED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE FRONT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE SOILED LINENS.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION OR SHELVING FOR STORED ITEMS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER FOR SHELVES INSIDE COOLERS. MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD. SHELF LINING MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND UNUSED ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR WALKWAY TO THE OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLE. MUST REMOVE AND KEEP AREA CLEAN AND CLEAR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS WITH SOME DIRT AND DEBRIS UNDER REAR METAL RACK SHELVING FOR SODA STORAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGINGS STORED IN FOOD PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED STORAGE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP. MUST REPLACE.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.
58
47
Sep 21, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: FOUND CHEST FREEZER DOOR IN POOR REPAIR AT HALLWAY AREAS. MUST REPAIR.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT OUTSIDE HALLWAY AREAS. MUST CLEAN.
34
90
Feb 15, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOODHANDLERS AT PREMISES WITH NO FOODHANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.
45
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZADOUS FOOD. (HANDLES BEEF, CHICKEN, ETC.) SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-012.
21
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
42
86
May 24, 2016
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL WOOD WALL AT THE FRONT DINING AREA. WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE REAR PREP AREA DRAINIG SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was 5411 Empanadas last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at 5411 Empanadas on file is from Jan 6, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at 5411 Empanadas?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at 5411 Empanadas.
Has 5411 Empanadas' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at 5411 Empanadas have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at 5411 Empanadas means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is 5411 Empanadas inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, 5411 Empanadas is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants