Cafe El Meson
Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025
82
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Cafe El Meson stretching back to 2011. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 9, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
Among Chicago restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 9, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON BACK WALL UNDER COUNTERTOP WHERE FRYERS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY TO MINIMIZE BUILDUP OF GREASE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED CONVECTION OVEN IN STORAGE AREA NEXT TO BACK DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Jul 30, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD RESIDUE IN REFRIGERATOR AND BACK OF DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 OBSERVED WALL BETWEEN KITCHEN AND FRONT PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED AND PEELING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Jul 22, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE (ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD RESIDUE IN REFRIGERATOR AND BACK OF DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALL BETWEEN KITCHEN AND FRONT PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED AND PEELING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Jul 31, 2023
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE HANDWASHING SINKS AND CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THREE COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS UNABLE TO PROPERLY HOLD WATER. INSTRUCTED PROVIDE OR REPLACE SINK STOPPERS.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIDS ON THE TRASHCANS IN THE RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPILLED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN BETWEEN SHELVING AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BACK REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MANINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CERTIFIED FOOD PROTECTION MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING.
58
74
Nov 6, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD AT PREP COOLER STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES, INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN SAME.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MISSING OUTLET COVER AT OUTLET NEXT TO UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTD TO REPLACE MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND IN CORNERS IN PREP AREA NEED DETAILED CLEANING, FREE OF DEBRIS.
55
67
Nov 13, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE TWO TOASTER OVENS, AND DRIP TRAYS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. ALSO CLEAN AND SANITIZE CUTTING BOARDS.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BASINS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF LARGE BAKING PANS,PLASTIC CONTAINERS, AND BUS PANS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF THE LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
38
90
Jul 7, 2015
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALL IN PREP AREA WITH CHIPPED, PEELING PAINT. INSTD TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT. WALL OUTLET COVER MISSING IN PREP AREA. PROVIDE SAME.
35
95
Aug 2, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO CLEAN OR REPLACE. RAW WOOD SURFACES AT INTERIOR BOTTOM OF STORAGE CABINETS. PAINT/SEAL SAME.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF CABINETS NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
33
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO WEAR SAME.
42
86
Nov 14, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (PREPARES SANDWICHES, SMOOTHIES). CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS.
21
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO INVERT SAME AND PROPERLY STORE.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF COOLERS AND INTERIOR OF STORAGE CABINETS NEED DETAILED CLEANING.
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: THERMOMETER MISSING IN REAR COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
40
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe El Meson last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe El Meson on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe El Meson?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Cafe El Meson.
Has Cafe El Meson's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe El Meson have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe El Meson 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 Cafe El Meson inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe El Meson is inspected about once every two years on average.
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