El Publano
Last inspected: Oct 27, 2025
95
Score
Inspectors have visited El Publano 15 times, with records going back to 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 27, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around zero violations across recent inspections versus roughly two violations before.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 27, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
95
Jul 2, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 10, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 30, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 1,2 & 3 DOOR PREP AND REACH IN COOLERS.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST UPDATE AND MAINTAIN.
58
90
Feb 3, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE
41
95
Jul 29, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MISSING DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY (EGGS COOKED TO ORDER). INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
25
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: MISSING DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 8/31/18 REPORT 2213764 NOT CORRECTED: 58- PA 100-0367 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE VERIFICATION. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION 60.
58
70
Aug 31, 2018
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3.501.17(A) VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED RICE, BEEF TONGUE, ETC.) FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 NO DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER ON MENU AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(N) NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012(A).
3
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE VERIFICATION.
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 RAW WOOD TABLE UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTD TO SEAL RAW WOOD OR REMOVE.
47
67
Jul 24, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD IN THE 2 FREEZER STORAGE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, ALSO SEAL THE RAW WOOD UNDER THE FRONT FLAT GRILL.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT PREP LIGHT SHIELD BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TALL WEEDS IN THE REAR BACK YARD,INSTRUCTED TO CUT DOWN, AND CLEAN.
41
86
Sep 8, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED TO STORE COOKED RICE AND FROZEN MEATS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE.
33
90
Sep 3, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: UNCLEAN KNIVES IN KNIFE RACK. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: METAL STEM THERMOMETER MISSING FOR FOOD HANDLERS. PROVIDE SAME.
40
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER RECORDS, LOGS.
45
86
Apr 25, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPERLY STORED PLASTIC SILVERWARE. STORE ALL PLASTIC UTENSILS WITH HANDLE FACING OUT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REACH IN FREEZER WITH CRACKED INTERIOR TOP COVER AND BROKEN/MISSING GASKETS. REPAIR TOP COVER OF INTERIOR FREEZER AND REPLACE MISSING/BROKEN GASKETS.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK TO PROTECT ADJACENT SHELVES HOLDING CLEAN DISHES. INSTALL SPLASH GUARD.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE. CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE AND MAINTAIN.
33
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNCLEAN EXTERIOR OF REACH IN REFRIGERATOR AND INTERIOR. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF REACH IN REFRIGERATORS.
33
78
Feb 5, 2013
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN STOVE AND GEILL OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS AT FRONT PREP AREA,CLEAN INTERIOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR OF PREMISES,MUST REMOVE STAIN FROM CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT PREP AREA,AND MUST REPAINT WOODEN SHELVES BEHIND FRONT PREP AREA HAS CHIP PAINT MUST USE NON TOXIC PAINT
33
95
Oct 18, 2012
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ALONG THE FLOORS AND IN THE CORNERS HAS SOME DUST ON THEM.
34
95
May 10, 2011
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
37
95
Sep 23, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS.
31
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.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 3- DOOR GLASS COOLER.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT HAND SINK & 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.REACH IN COOLERS.
40
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Publano last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Publano on file is from Oct 27, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Publano?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at El Publano.
Has El Publano's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Publano have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Publano 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 Publano inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Publano is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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