El Alamo

2053-57 W 18Th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Sep 8, 2011

Score

Low Risk

El Alamo has a thin inspection record, with only two visits on file so far. The most recent report on file is from Sep 8, 2011. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. The most recent inspection at El Alamo is from Sep 8, 2011, and nothing newer appears in the public record.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around one violation across recent inspections versus roughly seven violations before.

“Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

El Alamo's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 8, 2011

Tag Removal

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector notes: THE REACHIN CHEST FREEZER AND GASKET ARE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME.

Aug 29, 2011

Routine

7 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Facilities to maintain proper temperature

Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. FOUND COLD HOLDING UNIT TOP AND COLD HOLDING CABINET BOTTOM 70F. ALSO A ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 74F. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOOD AND GET UNITS REPAIRED. BOTH UNITS HAVE BEEN TADDED. DO NOT REMOVE THE TAGS. WHEN UNITS ARE REPAIRED CALL THE CDPH SO AN INSPECTOIN CAN BE MADE. CRITICAL CITATION 7-38-005(A)

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. FOUND 10 EGGS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 68.5F,HAMBURGER 3LBS 64.8F, TOMATOES 65F, SALSA 65.4F AND IN THE ONE DOOR COOLER FIVE LBS ON BEEF 71.2, PORK ONE LBS 69.5,STEAK 1POUND 67.8. MANAGER DISPOSED OF THE FOOD AND DENATURED IT. CRITICAL CITATION 7-38-005(A)GIVEN.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector notes: The licensee shall inform the public in writing of the Chicago Department of Public Health?s Consumer Advisory relating to consuming raw and undercooked animal products. LABEL THE LARGE CONTAINERS FLOUR, BEANS ECT.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. THE TOP OD THE REACHIN FREEZER AND GASKET IS IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CEAN AND DEFROST THE TWO REACHIN FREEZERS IN THE STORE AREA AND THE TWO REACHIN FREEZERS IN THE PREP AREA THEY ARE THICK WITH ICE BUILDUP. CLEAN THE MEAT CUTTING EQUIPMENT AND THE REACHIN COOLERS HAS FOOD DEBRIS ON THEM.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE BACK STORE AREA ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. THE FAUCIT AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA THE A STEADY STREAM ON WATER COMMIMG THE FAUCIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Alamo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Alamo on file is from Sep 8, 2011. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Alamo?

Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Alamo.

Has El Alamo's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at El Alamo have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Alamo 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

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Vio Cafe & Grill

2000 W 18Th St

Score: 82 — Low Risk

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→ All locations in Chicago → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Chicago