El Ideas
Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025
90
Score
El Ideas appears in inspection records 16 times, starting in 2011. On Dec 11, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly four violations earlier in the record.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so El Ideas is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 11, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: THE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ALL HAVE RUST ON THEM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE RACKS TO MAINTAIN A RUST-FREE, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. -THE HAND WASHING SINK BY THE PAN/POT STORAGE RACKS NEEDS A SPLASH GUARD TO SEPARATE THE SINK FROM THE UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER THE DISH MACHINE, SINKS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
90
Dec 6, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS AND WITHOUT BEARD GUARDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS AND WALLS WITH MINOR DEBRIS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
90
Dec 11, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
95
Dec 4, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: FOUND CONTINUED NON- COMPLIANCE FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2456818 CONDUCTED ON 11/19/2020. THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS WERE NOT CORRECTED: 6-501.13 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. 6-201.13 OBSERVED COVING IS MISSING ON THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COVING IN POOR REPAIR UNDER THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY .PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: FOUND PANEL IN ICE MACHINE WIH A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF A UNKOWN PINK SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
78
Nov 19, 2020
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. 6-201.13 OBSERVED COVING IS MISSING ON THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COVING IN POOR REPAIR UNDER THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING BY THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHTING INTENSITY.
56
86
Nov 17, 2020
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-501.114 OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING AT A CHLORINE LEVEL OF 0PPM DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SO THAT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE SANITIZES PROPERLY AT A CHLORINE LEVEL OF 50-100PPM AT ALL TIMES. LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MAY NOT BE USED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025.
16
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 OBSERVED COVING IS MISSING ON THE WALL UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COVING IN POOR REPAIR UNDER THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING BY THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHTING INTENSITY.
56
70
Apr 2, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUSTOMER RESTROOMS IN THE REAR OF THE RESTAURANT, NO BARRIER KEEPING THE CUSTOMERS FROM WALKING THRU THE PREP KITCHEN/STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BARRIER, MEANTIME YOU WIL NEED TO POST SIGN/NOTICE IN FRONT AUTHORIZED PERSONAL ONLY.
39
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES FOR THE DISH WASHER, WAIT STAFF, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBERVED NO ALERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
58
70
Oct 23, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY. MUST STORE INVERTED.
31
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT COOKING AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
34
90
Jun 22, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A HAIR NET. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS WEAR A HAIR NET AND MAINTAIN.
42
95
Apr 14, 2015
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: SEAL OPENING AROUND PIPE FITTING UNDER SINK IN NORTH WASHROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. REPAIR LEAK UNDER DISH MACHINE.
38
86
Apr 2, 2015
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 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 20-30 MICE DROPPINGS INSIDE FRYER CABINET IN PREP AREA, 15-20 MICE DROPPINGS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN SOUTHWEST STORAGE AREA, 5 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ALONG WALLS IN GAS METER ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
18
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1358276 ON 5-28-14. 38-NO UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES. RECOMMEND OPERATOR TO INSTALL UTILITY SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: SEAL OPENING AROUND PIPE FITTING UNDER SINK IN NORTH WASHROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. REPAIR LEAK UNDER DISH MACHINE.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES IN STORAGE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
41
70
May 28, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES. RECOMMEND OPERATOR TO INSTALL UTILITY SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: CLUTTER IN OUTSIDE REAR OF PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLUTTER.
41
90
Aug 8, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER NEED TO REMOVE RUST.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NEED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF WALK-IN COOLER.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NEED TO CLEAN FLOOR PREP AREA/GARAGE AREA.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NEED TO CLEAN CLUTTER IN SIDE GARAGE.
41
82
Oct 14, 2011
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 29, 2011
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. FOUND MICE DROPPINGS 25- 30 IN THE FRONT STORE ROOM AND 40- 50 MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FURNACE ROOM. ALSO THE SIDE DOOR GOING INTO THE GARAGE HAS A ONE INCH INCH GAP UNDER THE DOOR AND AROUND THE FRAME. NOT TIGHT FITTING OR INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE DOOR TIGHT FITTING AND INSECT PROOFED. CALL YOU PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO COME HERE TO SERVICE THIS ESTABLISHMENT. SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-020.
18
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. CLEAN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE ON THEM.
33
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 STORE ROOMS PREP AREA AND THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT.
34
86
Apr 6, 2011
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Ideas last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Ideas on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Ideas?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at El Ideas.
Has El Ideas' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Ideas have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Ideas 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 Ideas inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Ideas is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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