Chilam Balam
Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026
100
Score
Going back to 2010, Chilam Balam has 16 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 20, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly three violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up seven times.
Chilam Balam's latest score of 100 sits above the Chicago average of 81. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 20, 2026
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Aug 25, 2025
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP OB FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN THE REAR EMPLOYEES WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ABIG OPENING INTO CEILING AROUND PIPES BT THE REAR ELETRICAL PANEL. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN A GOOD REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Apr 21, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jul 22, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 21, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: REMOVE PLASTIC CRATES,DO NOT USE FOR ITEMS/FOOD STORAGE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: COVERS IS NEEDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE UNISEX WASHROOMS
53
90
Nov 15, 2021
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF THE OVEN WITH BURNT FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE FOOD IE: FRESH LIMES UNDER THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED A POROUS STONE PESTLE AND MORTAR ON EQUIPMENT SHELVING. MUST REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES AND MUST NOT USE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR FOR THE HAND SINK SPLASH GUARD IN BAR AREA----MUST REPLACE THE BLACKENED/MOLDY CAULKING ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE SAME SINK AND AT THE REAR THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK.----EXCESSIVE RUST WITH CHIPPING METAL ON THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPLACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CRACKED AND MISSING WALL TILES ON THE KITCHEN SOUTH WALL. MUST REPLACE.----NOTED EXPANDING SPRAY FOAM SEALANT USED IN SEVERAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY ON WALLS, BASEBOARDS, AND AROUND PIPING. MUST REMOVE ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED STORED ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT ON THE REAR PATIO. MUST REMOVE TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTILATION IN BOTH WASHROOMS COVERED/SEALED AND UNABLE TO VENT AIR. MUST PROVIDE PROPER VENTILATION COVERS TO ALLOW AIRFLOW INTO THE VENT/FAN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL.
58
67
May 22, 2020
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES IN WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST/DIRT DEBRIS ON WALLS AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREAS. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Feb 8, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: NOTED TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME AND USED BY DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005(A). NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
23
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENINGS ON WALLS ALONG PIPING AND GAPS BETWEEN WALL JOINTS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENING AND GAPS WHERE EVER NEEDED TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PEST.
55
78
Apr 25, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE COVING DETACHING FROM THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE THE COVING AND SEAL ANY CRACKS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GRAYISH STAINS FROM WALL UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET IN THE RED COLORED RESTROOM.
38
86
Jun 30, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LINER AT THE COOKS LINE. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE ON LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST PROVIDE END CAPS FOR LIGHT SHIELD INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.
36
90
Jan 23, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND TORN GASKETS ON THE 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
32
95
Aug 6, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL AND DATE ALL PREPARED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE PREP COOLER.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN REAR FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. MUST REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP. DETAIL CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
33
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES AND FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHES IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
86
Sep 5, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 28, 2013
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN THE KITCHEN AND DISHWASHING ROOM. APPROXIMATELY 13 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND CEILING TILES, AND EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA AND REAR DISH ROOM. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.ALSO,NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE MUST PROVIDE,MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS INCLUDING A MAP LOCATOR INDICATING ALL PEST CONTROL SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THIS FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: All clean single service utensils must be stored with handles up.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: SIDES OF HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS,FAN COVERS INSIDE WALK-IN-COOLER,DEEP FRYER,SHELVINGS REQUIRE A DETAIL CLEANING.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN and maintain the floors and baseboards so they are smooth and sanitary from corner to corner.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Clean and maintain the walls and ceilings so they are smooth and sanitary from top to bottom.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAINING AT THE MOP SINK AND INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE SAME SINK.
38
74
Dec 11, 2012
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 4LBS COOKED CHICKEN FLAUTAS IN WALK-IN COOLER COVERED WITH PLASTIC WRAP IN A SMALL, DEEP CONTAINER STACKED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER, NOT LABELED OR DATED AT 67.1F. NO TEMPERATURE LOGS ON PREMISES. ALL DISCARDED. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005(A).
3
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER PRESENT DURING INITIAL INSPECTION WHILE THE ABOVE MENTIONED FOODS WERE BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. MANAGER ARRIVED AFTER BEING TELEPHONED. ONLY ONE CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES OF A NATALIE OSWALD. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012.
21
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL PREPARED FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE LABELED AND DATED.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR EQUIPMENT.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: ALL FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR 6" OR ABOVE.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD AND END CAPS FOR SHIELD IN REAR DISH AREA AND DRY FOOD STORAGE. MUST PROVIDE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FLAT TOP GRILL MUST BE UNDER VENTILATION.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INACCURATE INTERNAL THERMOMETER IN COOKS LINE COOLER. MUST BE REPLACED.
40
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON COOKS LINE MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
64
Apr 21, 2010
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED MILK AT 45.6F, EMPANADAS AT 47-49F, CHORIZO AT 44.7F, BLACK BEANS AT 44.9F, AND CHEESE AT 46F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 35# OF FOOD WORTH #210. AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 40.6F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chilam Balam last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chilam Balam on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chilam Balam?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Chilam Balam.
Has Chilam Balam's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Chilam Balam have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Chilam Balam 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 Chilam Balam inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chilam Balam is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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