Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio
Last inspected: Nov 25, 2025
90
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio, the earliest from 2020. On Nov 25, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up eight times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 25, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLER AND SHELVING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. ALSO DEFROST AND CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN FREEZER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE BASEMENT AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
55
90
Oct 23, 2024
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 THE MISSING WALL AT THE BASEBOARD LINE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST REPLACE THE WALL AND BASEBOARD COVING. HOLE IN THE CEILING OF THE ADULT WASHROOM. MUST SEAL/REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.16 OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15 OBSERVED AN APPX. 1" GAP AT THE DOOR BASE OF THE BASEMENT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12 OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-202.16 NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION IN THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDES APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL.
47
74
Oct 16, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX. 1" GAP AT THE DOOR BASE OF BASEMENT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MISSING WALL AT THE BASEBOARD LINE IN BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST REPLACE THE WALL AND BASEBOARD COVING.HOLE IN THE CEILING OF THE ADULT WASHROOM. MUST SEAL/REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
74
Jul 27, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE 1-DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A POT IN THE DISH AREA TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE LARGE DISHES THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FROM PREMISES OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN ALTERNATIVE WAREWASHING PROCEDURE THAT STATES HOW THE FACILITY WILL WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE LARGE DISHES. MANAGEMENT REMOVED THE POT FROM THE PREMISES.
48
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL WASHROOM DOORS MUST BE COMPLETELY ENCLOSED AND PROVIDED WITH TIGHT FITTING AND SELF-CLOSING DOORS.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
58
82
Jan 24, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED NO LABELS ON THE DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: 4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS BEING USED FOR DRY FOOD STORAGE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO REUSE SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
45
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
86
Sep 10, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILE IN THE FRONT DINING AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMP SINK (LAST COMPARTMENT). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
Feb 5, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
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
86
Apr 30, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 16, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-306.11 OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE CUSTOMER DINING/SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SEPARATION THAT IS AT LEAST 6FT IN HEIGHT AROUND THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
39
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-204.11 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND WASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
10
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-203.13 OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SERVICE SINK WITH A FLOOR DRAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK UNDER THE FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO CLOSED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio on file is from Nov 25, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio.
Has Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio 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 Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio is inspected around two times per year on average.
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