Carnitas Don Pichi
Last inspected: Nov 3, 2025
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Carnitas Don Pichi seven times, with records going back to 2021. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 3, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around five violations each, up from closer to three violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Carnitas Don Pichi's latest score of 78 falls below the Chicago average of 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 3, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LABELS MISSING FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (SALT AND SUGAR). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY IN CONTAINERS/BOXES ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS STORED IMPROPERLY DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
43
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED/UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES STORED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN OVERHEAD BURNED-OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB.
56
78
Aug 23, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF GREASE ON FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE ON THE INTERIOR OF COLD HOLD UNITS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN GARAGE STORAGE AREA WHERE DRY FOODSTUFFS AND EXTRA COOLERS ARE LOCATED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST HARBORAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING TILES ON STEP DOWN INTO THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Aug 21, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF SALSA REACH-IN COOLER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE COUNTERS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP WET WIPING CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERICE TRAYS ON THE SHELF AT THE COOK LINE AND FRONT COUNTER STORED FACING UP. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE TRAYS TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
45
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOP STORED IN THE BUCKET IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO HANG MOPS TO ALLOW TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE CELL PHONE STORED ON THE MEAT SLICER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY STORE PERSONAL ITEMS.
56
78
Oct 13, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND COOKED TCS FOODS (CARNITAS, RICE, AND MEAT) HELD AT IMPROPER HOT TEMPERATURES (103F-116F). HOT HOLDING MUST BE AT 135F OR ABOVE. THE ABOVE FOOD WAS RAPIDLY REHEATED TO 175F DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
21
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS, MAINTAIN.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORED IN UNORIGINAL CONTAINER, MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE, MAINTAIN.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP GROOVES AT FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS AT ALL TIMES.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD SPLATTER ON WALLS IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
Dec 6, 2021
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MULTI USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD STAINED AT FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS AT ALL TIMES
47
90
Mar 22, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 15, 2021
License
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT ON. INSTD TO HAVE ON AND ABOVE TO MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
33
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: MISSING PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK. INSTD TO PROVIDE LOGBOOK INCLUDING SERVICE RECEIPT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HANDWASH SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA WHERE CARNITAS ARE HANDLED/SERVED. INSTD TO PROVIDE HANDWASH SINK IN SAME AREA RUNNING WATER 100F-120F UNDER CITY PLUMBING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST KITS FOR CHLORINE SANITIZER. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
48
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NO DUMPSTER OR CONTRACT ON SITE FOR LICENSED GARBAGE DISPOSAL. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
54
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: LARGE POTS ON SITE FOR CARNITAS AND TAMALES UNABLE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE SMALL POTS TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR PROVIDE LARGER SINK OR APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025
48
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MISSING FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE (IE, METAL STEM THERMOMETER). INSTD TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
36
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN TRAINING
58
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Carnitas Don Pichi last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Carnitas Don Pichi on file is from Nov 3, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Carnitas Don Pichi?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Carnitas Don Pichi.
Has Carnitas Don Pichi's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Carnitas Don Pichi have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Carnitas Don Pichi 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 Carnitas Don Pichi inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Carnitas Don Pichi is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants