Chicago Empanada Mama

1703 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Apr 11, 2024

100

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2023, Chicago Empanada Mama has three inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Apr 11, 2024. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. Chicago Empanada Mama's record stops at Apr 11, 2024, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around zero violations lately and about five violations before that.

When inspectors have written things up, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 11, 2024

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Mar 27, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 5 violations

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector notes: OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 44-50 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE STORED AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED 10 POUNDS OF CORN DIP, 10 POUNDS OF HAM, 4 POUNDS OF RICE AND MEAT, 10 POUNDS OF CHICKEN, 5 POUNDS OF CREAM CHEESE, 5 POUNDS OF LEAFY GREENS, 3 POUNDS OF POTATO SALAD ($350). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO HAND-WASHING SINKS WITH ITEMS SUCH AS MEASURING CUPS AND BEANS STORED IN SINKS. HAND-WASHING SINKS SHALL NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN HAND WASHING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM SINK AND TO ENSURE FOOD AND DIRTY UTENSILS ARE NOT DUMPED IN HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS PLACED IN THE DISH MACHINE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS PLACED IN HOT WATER DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE CERTIFICATE IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.

May 25, 2023

License

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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

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

Allergen training as required

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

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT 1 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AND DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS ONLY AT HANDWASHING SINKS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 UNUSED COOLERS AND AN UNUSED DISH MACHINE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER MAINTAIN IN WORKING CONDITION OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING 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 Chicago Empanada Mama last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Chicago Empanada Mama on file is from Apr 11, 2024. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Chicago Empanada Mama?

Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Chicago Empanada Mama.

Has Chicago Empanada Mama's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Chicago Empanada Mama have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Chicago Empanada Mama

1703 W Chicago Ave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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