El Kaporal Restaurant
Last inspected: Jul 7, 2025
90
Score
Going back to 2012, El Kaporal Restaurant has 18 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 7, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
El Kaporal Restaurant's latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
18
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 7, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DEBRIS/DIRT ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
55
90
Sep 4, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WOMEN'S RESTROOM DOOR NOT OPERABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
53
95
Sep 1, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BROKEN HINGE ON CHEST FREEZER. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BROKEN ICE CREAM MACHINE IN REAR. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES
55
90
Dec 7, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MILK CRATES AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6" OFF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANING, MAINTAIN.
55
95
Nov 29, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER OR DISCLOSURE ON MENU FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED EGGS AND CARNE ASADA. INSTRUCTED TO ADD BOTH REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU FOR ALL RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOODS, MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MILK CRATES AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6" OFF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANING, MAINTAIN.
55
86
Jan 29, 2021
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): MISSING LIDS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 STAINED CEILING TILES ON SITE. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
55
90
Jan 22, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: INCOMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE, LAST PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT FROM 2018. INSTD TO OBTAIN UPDATED PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECEIPT. SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED FROM THE LICENSED EXTERMINATOR AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C).
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MISSING LIDS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: STAINED CEILING TILES ON SITE. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Jan 14, 2020
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #60
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT ICE CREAM FREEZER AND THE REAR MEAT FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE ICE, INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND CLEAN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE LIGHT OUT UNDER THE HOOD/OVER THE COOKING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
56
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH VIOLATION #58 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM REPORT #2279623 DATE3/19/2019, CORRECT BY DATE JUN.19,2019. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090.
60
82
Mar 19, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written employee health policy for all employees. Priority foundation violation.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up porcedure/kit on site. Must provide written procedure for the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events. Must provide equipment outlined in procedure. Priority foundation violation.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed prep date on TCS foods in coolers. Instructed must include discard date on all prepped TCS foods held for more than 24 hours. Must correct and maintain same. Priority foundation violation.
23
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed excessive ice accumulation inside chest freezer in dry storage room. Must remove ice, clean and sanitize equipment. Must maintain same.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed hot water handle hard to turn (it is stripped) on the hand sink in the front prep area. Once water is turned on, it is difficult to turn off. Must repair handle to function properly. Observed leaks at faucet of 3 compartment sink in rear prep. Must repair and maintain same.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food sanitation managers.
58
64
Sep 7, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: EXPOSED HANDSINK IN MAIN PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE, UNCLEAN CUPS, PLATES IN BASIN OF SINK. INSTD TO MAINTAIN BASIN CLEAR AND USE SINK FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
11
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO DIPPERWELL ON SITE FOR HAND PACKED ICE CREAM. INSTD TO PROVIDE OR REMOVE ICE CREAM.
32
90
Sep 9, 2016
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.
45
90
Sep 8, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS PORK AND SALSA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED PORK AT 50.5F, EGGS AT 59.5F, GREEN SALSA AT 54.4F AND RED SALSA AT 57.6F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10# OF FOOD WORTH $25. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.
45
82
Jul 1, 2015
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: PROVIDE SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN PREP SINK AND STORAGE RACK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: CLUTTER NOTED IN BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY ARTICALES AND ORGANIZE AREA.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD REQUIREMENTS NOT MET, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAME.
45
86
Jun 12, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NEWLY ADDED PREP AREA WITHOUT ADEQUATE HANDWASHING FACILITES, NO EXPOSED HANDSINK WHERE PREP TABLE, JUICER, CUTTING BOARD IS CURRENTLY IN USE AND PREPARING MASA, CUTTING, PREPARING FRUIT AND BLENDING, PREPARING ORANGE JUICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN SAME AREA. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
12
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: 3 COMPARTMENT DRAIN NOT MAINTAINED, OBSERVED 3 COMP. GREASE TRAP LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAIN LINE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
24
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: PROVIDE SPLASHGUARD INBETWEEN PREP SINK AND STORAGE RACK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: CLUTTER NOTED IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
45
78
Jun 10, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTALL ADDITIONAL WALL MOUNTED DRYING RACK ACROSS FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO AIR DRY DISHES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED.
32
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON BATHROOM DOOR. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRAIN LINE FROM 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR DRAINING INTO LARGE BUCKET. DRAIN LINE NEEEDS TO BE PROPERLY PLUMBED TO FLOOR DRAIN OR EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR HANDLE ON MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR HANDLE ON EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK OUT SIDE OF RESTROOM AND MAINTAIN.
38
78
Apr 30, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE REAR STORAGE ROOM
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYER HAS GREASE BUILD-UP ON EQUIPMENT
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE REACH-IN FREEZER AT FRONT COUNTER AREA,CHEST COOLER AT REAR PREP AREA,AND INSIDE 2 REFRIGERATORS UNITS LOCATED IN A ENCLOSED ROOM NEXT TO STORAGE ROOM IN REAR
40
86
Dec 14, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SEAL HOLES AROUND PIPE IN FLOOR OF STORAGE ROOM. CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES FOUND:- THE DOUBLE DOOR COOLER IS NOT WORKING. ALSO SOME CLUTTED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DOUBLE DOOR COOLER AND CLEAN AND ORGNIZE THE BASEMENT STOREROOM SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.
41
90
Aug 13, 2012
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SEAL HOLES AROUND PIPE IN FLOOR OF STORAGE ROOM. PROVIDE FLOOR DRAIN COVERS FOR BASEMENT DRAINS. CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT AND SEAL HOLES IN FLOOR OF BASEMENT (CRACKS IN FLOOR) WHERE OBSEVED.
34
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Kaporal Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Kaporal Restaurant on file is from Jul 7, 2025. The public record contains 18 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Kaporal Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at El Kaporal Restaurant.
Has El Kaporal Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Kaporal Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Kaporal Restaurant 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 Kaporal Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Kaporal Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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