El Gustazo Boricua
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
82
Score
Public records show four inspections at El Gustazo Boricua stretching back to 2023. On Nov 5, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to four violations per visit.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Among Chicago restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING. ESPECIALLY UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, SURROUNDING THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114: OBSERVED HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET WITH CLUTTER. ALSO, FOUND BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES AN MAINTAIN.
55
82
Oct 29, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ANY OF THE HANDWASHING SINKS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. EMPLOYEE PROVIDED ROLLS OF PAPER TOWEL AT EACH SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION, WHILE FOOD WAS BEING PREPARED AND HOT/COLD HELD DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES, WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS AND 4 LIVE BIG FLIES ON SITE. RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND ON THE FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: THE FLOOR NEAR THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, UNDER THE COUNTER BEHIND THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA, ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE REAR FOOD PREP TABLE ACROSS FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AND IN THE DINING AREA. FOUND FLIES ON THE WALLS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RAT DROPPINGS, REMOVE BIG FLY ACTIVITY, AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING. ESPECIALLY UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, SURROUNDING THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET WITH CLUTTER. ALSO, FOUND BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES AN MAINTAIN.
55
61
Jun 13, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED PORK, CHICKEN AND HAM, SOUP) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY BASKET, UTENSILS, BRUSHES AND CONTAINER BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON 2 DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER OIL FILTERING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR LEAK UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
45
May 15, 2023
License
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
5
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Gustazo Boricua last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Gustazo Boricua on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Gustazo Boricua?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at El Gustazo Boricua.
Has El Gustazo Boricua's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Gustazo Boricua have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Gustazo Boricua 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 El Gustazo Boricua inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Gustazo Boricua is inspected around two times per year on average.
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