Chi-Latin

1421 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Dec 26, 2024

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Chi-Latin has three inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent visit was on Dec 26, 2024. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around seven violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.

“Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Chi-Latin on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 26, 2024

Reinspection

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: 3-307.11 MUST INSTALL A SPLASHGUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: 6-501.14 CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Dec 17, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE DRAIN LINE FOR THE GLASS RINSER BEHIND THE BAR DRAINING INTO THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REROUTE THE DRAIN LINE TO A FLOOR DRAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASHGUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA.

Dec 28, 2023

Routine

2 major violations. 7 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE DURING INSPECTION DUE TO IT LEFT AT HOME. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER WENT TO PURCHASE ONE WHILE I WAS DOING MY REPORT.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BREAD CRUMBS, SEASONINGS, SALT AND SUGAR 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.

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE IN BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD ON MAIN COOK LINE COVERED WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF COOLER IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Chi-Latin last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Chi-Latin on file is from Dec 26, 2024. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Chi-Latin?

Across the inspection record, “contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Chi-Latin.

Has Chi-Latin's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Chi-Latin have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Chi-Latin means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

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