El Chilaquil
Last inspected: Dec 10, 2025
74
Score
Going back to 2022, El Chilaquil has seven inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Dec 10, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up eight times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 10, 2025
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING, UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSDERVED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WITHOUT THE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INFORMED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE.
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD SERVICE PREP AREA...THE DRY STORAGE AREA AND FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREAS IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING OF DUST, DIRT, GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS NEEDED AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LONG CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA BADLY DATAINED AND DEEP CUTTING GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR OF THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER THE SHELVING ALONG THE WALLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK A THE FAUCET BASE AND DRAIN PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
51
74
Apr 2, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.11(B, C, D, E): CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS ON SITE. INSTD TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD FREE OR LEAD SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON SITE; OR REMOVE CUPS FROM PREMISES
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114: EXCESSIVE CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA
55
90
Mar 26, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MISSING CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS (EX, EGGS, STEAK) CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED/COOKED TO ORDER WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES "THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" . ALSO PROVIDE A REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OVER 40 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED SCATTERED ALONG WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS OF BOTH STORAGE AREAS. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A) PRIORITY FOUNDATION
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINT AND MAINTAIN
40
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MULTI USE UTENSILS, STRAINERS STORED INBETWEEN WALL AND PIPING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS ON SITE. INSTD TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD FREE OR LEAD SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON SITE; OR REMOVE CUPS FROM PREMISES
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: EXPANDING FOAM BEING USED TO SEAL CRACKS, CREVICES AND HOLES IN WALLS AND WALLBASE. INSTD TO REMOVE FOAM AND REPAIR SURFACES SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ENTIRE COOK LINE WITH EXCESSIVE DIRT/DEBRIS/GRIME. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA
55
58
Mar 15, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: TCS READY TO EAT FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER (PANS OF COOKED BEEF, CHICKEN, PORK, BEANS, RICE) NOT MARKED WITH A USE-BY/DISCARD DATE. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD IN A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE OR DAY BY WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES, SOLD, OR DISCARDED WHEN HELD AT A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR LESS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7DAYS. APPROXIMATELY 20LBS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $100 DISCARDED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
23
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS HEAVILY PITTED AND WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CARDBOARD LINING, ALUMINUM FOIL ON STORAGE SHELVES AND COUNTERTOP IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD LINING AND ALUMINUM FOIL SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: SMALL LEAK AT PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
74
May 8, 2023
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE TRAYS STORED FACING UP AT THE COOK LINE. MUST INVERT SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS TO PROTECT FROM POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN FREEZERS TO REMOVE ICE BUILD UP AND DEBRIS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED USED MOP STORED IN THE MOP BUCKET IN THE BACK KITCHEN AREA. MUST HANG MOPS TO ALLOW TO DRY.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #60.
58
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VILOATION (#58 ALLERGEN TRAINING) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2554411 DATE 4-18-22. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments:OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON-SITE. PRIORTITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090.
60
74
Apr 22, 2022
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF GRIME AND DEBRIS IN WALK IN COOLER ON SHELVING, AND IN COLD HOLD UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BUILD UP OF GRIME ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA, STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON-SITE.
58
86
Apr 18, 2022
License
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITIATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE VALID ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
1
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR KIT ON-SITE FOR CLEAN-UP OF VOMITOUS PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND KIT FOR CLEAN-UP VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF GRIME AND DEBRIS IN WALK IN COOLER ON SHELVING, AND IN COLD HOLD UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BUILD UP OF GRIME ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA, STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON-SITE.
58
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Chilaquil last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Chilaquil on file is from Dec 10, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Chilaquil?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at El Chilaquil.
Has El Chilaquil's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Chilaquil have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Chilaquil means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is El Chilaquil inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Chilaquil is inspected around two times per year on average.
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