El Quetzal
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
82
Score
The health department has logged four inspections at El Quetzal, the earliest from 2025. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 19, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Among Chicago restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOIL BEING USED AS A LINER ON THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOIL SO THAT SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RIGHT HANDLE TO TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE LEFT SIDE PREP AREA BROKEN/MISSING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED METHOD OF COOLING PACAYA TO BE INADEQUATE. FOOD MUST BE UNCOVERED DURING COOLING PROCESS IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
33
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (CORN MEAL, FLOUR, ETC.) IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH THE COMMON NAME OF FOOD ITEM.
37
82
Feb 17, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT 102F. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER AT A MINIMUM OF 110F AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED METHOD OF COOLING PACAYA TO BE INADEQUATE. FOOD MUST BE UNCOVERED DURING COOLING PROCESS IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
33
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (CORN MEAL, FLOUR, ETC.) IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH THE COMMON NAME OF FOOD ITEM.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOIL BEING USED AS A LINER ON THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOIL SO THAT SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RIGHT HANDLE TO TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE LEFT SIDE PREP AREA BROKEN/MISSING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Mar 24, 2025
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER DIRECTLY ACROSS THE KITCHEN PREP SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 4-202.18--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
86
Feb 25, 2025
License
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR EXTENDED NEW PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER,EQUIPPED WITH SOAP AND HAND PAPER TOWELS AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR WITH GAP OPENING APROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER DIRECTLY ACROSS THE KITCHEN PREP SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING LOCATED IN THE EXTENDED LOCATION NEXT TO BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Quetzal last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Quetzal on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Quetzal?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Quetzal.
Has El Quetzal's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Quetzal have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Quetzal means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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