Cremeria Santa Maria
Last inspected: Sep 3, 2025
95
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Cremeria Santa Maria stretching back to 2014. The most recent visit was on Sep 3, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded 10 times.
Cremeria Santa Maria's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 3, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: -501.114 OBSERVED CLOSET NEXT TO WALK-IN COOLER WITH CLUTTER AND UNECESSARY ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS NOT IN USE AND ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
95
Aug 27, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO LIVE MEDIUM SIZE COCKROACHES CRAWLING ALONG THE WALL NEAR POP DISPENSER AND COUNTERTOP IN FRONT PREP AREA. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 25 LARGE LIVE BLACK FLIES THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AND SITTING AREA AS WELL AS 30 SMALL BLACK LIVE FLIES INSIDE CABINETS LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WHITE CABINETSA LOCATED IN FRONT PREP ARE WITH A BUILDUP OF A STICKY SUBSTANCE AND SPILLAGE ON THE INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED BUILD UP, ORGANIZE
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA, NOTED BUILDUP ON SHELVING RACKS LOCATED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND BEVERAGE COOLER IN FRONT PREP .INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLOSET NEXT TO WALK-IN COOLER WITH CLUTTER AND UNECESSARY ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS NOT IN USE AND ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS WITH BUILDUP OF FOOD SPLATTER AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
Sep 12, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS NEXT TO THE COLD HOLD UNIT. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE ROOM WITH ICE MACHINES AND IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND DAMAGED WALL BEHIND THE ICE CREAM FREEZER.
55
86
Nov 7, 2023
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR LOCATED INSIDE THE CAFE; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE/INSTALL.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS INSIDE OF THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN CENTER AREA OF KITCHEN WHERE ICE MACHINES LOCATED; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE.
55
90
Jul 27, 2022
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
50
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE THREE COMP SINK FAUCETS IN THE KITCHEN SQUIRTING OUT WATER WHEN TURNED ON FROM THE NECK OF THE FAUCET; MUST REPAIR. OBSERVED ONE HANDSINK IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE FLEA MARKET DRAINING SLOWLY; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME DAMAGED FLOOR TILE IN THE REAR AREA OF THE KITCHEN BY THE ICE MACHINE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE FLOOR TILE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND ONE MANAGER WITHOUT THE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE MANAGERS OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.
58
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME OUTER DOORS IN THE REAR AREA AND A SIDE DOOR NEAR THE SNACK BAR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED; INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETELY RODENT PROOF ALL DOORS WHERE NEEDED.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF DEEP FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
49
74
Dec 9, 2021
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
95
Dec 2, 2021
Complaint
3 critical violations. 8 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 25 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED AND BEING SERVED IN OUTSIDE ELEMENTS SUCH AS 6LBS. GREEN SALSA 48.2F-53.2F AND 3LBS. RED SALSA 54.0F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX.9 LBS.$16(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
22
Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING SERVICE.OBSERVED FOOD EXPOSED OUTSIDE IN THE ELEMENTS OF (HIGH WIND AND DUST BLOWING) IN REAR PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO REAR OF INSIDE BUSINESS WITH REAR DOOR WIDE OPEN WITH A TENT,FLAT TOP GRILL,HOT DOG MACHINE(HOT DOGS), HOT HOLDING UNITS( COOKED STEAK & CORN),PROPANE TANKS WITH FOOD IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS ON TABLE TOP SOME WITHOUT LIDS(RED & GREEN SALSAS),PREPTABLES.INSTRUCTED MANAGER THERE IS NO COOKING AND SELLING OF FOODS OUTSIDE IN THE ELEMENTS ONLY INSIDE OF LICENSED BUSINESS.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.APPX. 16.5 LBS. $32.20(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
13
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED AND BEING SERVED IN OUTSIDE ELEMENTS SUCH AS 2LBS. COOKED CORN 82.5F. 1LB. FRIED BEEF 114.8F.7LBS. COOKED STEAK 118.1F.10 OZ. COOKED HOT DOGS 73.8F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.APPX.10.10 LBS.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
21
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND UNDER STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.ALSO. APPX. 10-14 LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND PREMISES.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS. CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 12/2/21.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
38
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC DIDN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED OUTSIDE OF ESTABLISHMENT(BEEF,SALSA,HOT DOGS,ETC).OTHER MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPX. 12:45 P.M. WITH VALID FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED).
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINKS IN REAR PREP AREA AND REAR PREP/ DISH WASHING AREA.NAPKINS WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS IN REAR PREP AREA WITH A WHISK,LIDS INSIDE OF BASIN AND REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA HAND SINK A PLASTIC BUCKET AND UTENSILS IN BASIN.ARTICLES WERE REMOVED DURING INSPECTION.MUST KEEP HAND SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
10
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DATE MARKINGS ON TCS FOODS BEING HELD INSIDE OF COOLER FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DATE MARKINGS.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
23
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT BOTH 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING/PREP AREAS NEXT TO PREP TABLES AND HAND SINKS.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES AND CARTS.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES AND WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON PREP TABLES, UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS,ROLLING CARTS,COUNTER TOPS,INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE.WALK IN COOLER-SHELVING UNITS AND FAN GUARD COVERS, GRILL TABLE.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN LOWER WALL IN REAR PREP AREA,DAMAGED FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS AND WHERE NEEDED.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALLS IN WALK IN COOLER AND PREP AREAS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER AND ICE BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREEZER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA,OUTSIDE OF TOILET ROOM,NEAR WALK IN COOLER & FREEZERS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE MISSING FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
14
Dec 1, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN RESTROOMS NEED CLEANING.
34
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR REFRIGERATORS.
40
90
Aug 14, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALL NOT SEALED BEHIND THE STORAGE SHELF, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND SINK LEAKING AT THE LOWER PIPE INTO A BUCKET, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cremeria Santa Maria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cremeria Santa Maria on file is from Sep 3, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cremeria Santa Maria?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Cremeria Santa Maria.
Has Cremeria Santa Maria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cremeria Santa Maria have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cremeria Santa Maria 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 Cremeria Santa Maria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cremeria Santa Maria is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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