Gordo's Tamales
Last inspected: Jun 25, 2025
86
Score
The health department has logged 17 inspections at Gordo's Tamales, the earliest from 2015. The most recent report on file is from Jun 25, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about six violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited nine times.
Gordo's Tamales' latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 25, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: PACKAGED TAMALE HUSKS IN BASEMENT STORED UNDENEATH SEWER LINES THAT HAVE WORN OVERWRAP ON LINES. INSTD TO REMOVE HUSKS FROM UNDERNEATH LINES OR RE WRAP PROPERLY TO PROTECT FROM POSSIBLE DRIPPING/CONTAMINATION.
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES ON PROPER SHELVING AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: ALUMINUM FOIL LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES. INSTD TO REMOVE SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
86
Dec 17, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: ALL WIPING CLOTHS WHEN NOT IN USE MUST BE STORED IN AS CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ANY FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
90
Apr 23, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ON DOORWAY LEADING INTO KITCHEN FROM DINING ROOM AS WELL AS WINDOWSILL IN REAR DISH ROOM NEAR EXIT DOOR. OBSERVED THE WOODEN DOOR FOR THE WALK-IN COOLER TO BE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR ALL AREAS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
95
Aug 16, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: 4-502.13: OBSERVED FACILITY REUSING SINGLE USE GROCERY BAGS TO STORE FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS TACO SHELLS, RICE, AND DOUGH. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GROCERY BAGS AND STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C): OBSERVED SPILL FOOD DEBRIS AT THE BOTTOM OF BOTH REACH IN FREZZERS IN THE FORNT LOBBY AREA AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE PIPING UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
86
Aug 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PAN OF COOKED BEANS WEIGHING APPROX. 20 LBS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AT AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 49.8F. ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE FOOD ITEM. FOOD DISCARDED VALUED AT APPROX. $40. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-005.
22
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER (BLEACH) BEING USED FOR SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF A SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-005.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE PIPING UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT STORED THROUGHOUT FACILITY AND REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOOD EQUIPMENT SUCH AS POTS OR PANS AND COOLERS THAT ARE NOT IN USE OR NO LONGER NEEDED FOR DAILY OPERATION.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING HAS EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO RENEW AND PROVIDE PROOF OF CERTIFICATION(S) FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD PROTECTION MANAGERS.
58
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET IN USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE COUNTERS AND PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPE CLOTHS INSIDE OF PROPER SANITZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOP FOR SUGAR CONTAINER WITH THE HANDLE STORED INSIDE OF FOOD ITEM. INSTRUCTED TO STORE UTENSILS WITH THE HANDLE UP AND OUT OF FOOD ITEM.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPILL FOOD DEBRIS AT THE BOTTOM OF BOTH REACH IN FREZZERS IN THE FORNT LOBBY AREA AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
58
Dec 7, 2022
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 11- LARGE OVER SIZED POTS STORED OUTSIDE IN REAR YARD IN THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE USED TO COOK TAMALES IN .MUST STORE PROPERLY WITHIN THE FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.POTS WERE REMOVED FROM OUTSIDE AND STORED IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA DURING INSPECTION.(COS)
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA AND WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN FREEZER
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Inspector Comments: OBSERVED OVERSIZED POTS TO LARGE TO FIT INSIDE OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE PROPERLY SANITIZED MUST PROVIDE A PROCEDURE TO SANITIZE,REMOVE POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER FANGUARD COVERS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN OVERHEAD PIPE LEAKING WATER IN BASEMENT ONTO FLOOR MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Inspector Comments: OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR TO PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING MUST MAKE SELF CLOSING.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AND DINING AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES UNDERNEATH REAR HAND SINK.
55
67
Oct 7, 2022
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA AND WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN FREEZER
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: OBSERVED OVERSIZED POTS TO LARGE TO FIT INSIDE OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE PROPERLY SANITIZED MUST PROVIDE A PROCEDURE TO SANITIZE,REMOVE POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK.
48
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR TO PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING MUST MAKE SELF CLOSING.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AND DINING AREA,DAMAGED WALL ENTERING INTO PREP AREA,DAMAGED FLOORING INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER.
55
82
Sep 30, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 60 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON WALL LEDGES & PIPES IN BASEMENT BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND SHELVING UNITS. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 9/30/22.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
38
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
3
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA AND WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN FREEZER.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVERSIZED POTS TO LARGE TO FIT INSIDE OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE PROPERLY SANITIZED MUST PROVIDE A PROCEDURE TO SANITIZE,REMOVE POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLE,PREP TABLES,ROLLING CARTS, REACH IN FREEZER,WALK IN COOLER FANGUARD COVERS.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR TO PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING MUST MAKE SELF CLOSING.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT AND BASEMENT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AND DINING AREA,DAMAGED WALL ENTERING INTO PREP AREA,DAMAGED FLOORING INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING AND EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
55
Apr 21, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN REAR WALK IN COOLER, SUCH AS THREE 35LB CONTAINERS OF GREEN SALSA AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 50.2F- 64.1F MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 105LBS AT $366. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS COOKTOP STOVES, LARGE POTS, PROPANE TANKS AND PREP TABLES IN THE REAR OUTSIDE AREA - UNAPPROVED FOOD PREPARATION AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS A LINER ON SHELVING UNITS IN REAR PREP AREA, WINDOW SEALS, AND ON SHELF UNDERNEATH REAR COOKTOP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ALUMINUM FOIL FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PAINT/SEAL/REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REACH IN COOLER WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO UTILITY SINK ON SITE. MANAGER INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL UTILITY SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS/ FOOD SPLATTER ON CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR PREP AREA OVER COOKTOP UNDER VENTILATION HOOD AND BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB OVER FRONT GRILL AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR, REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
45
Jan 9, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE PREP AREA NO CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN
55
95
Feb 14, 2019
License
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written policy. Priority foundation.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy/kit on site. Must provide written clean up procedure and corresponding equipment. Priority foundation.
5
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Backflow preventer not located. Must provide back flow prevention device for utility sink. Must maintain same.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: No proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food managers.
58
74
Jan 25, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written policy. Priority foundation.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide written clean up procedure. Priority foundation.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed all prepped TCS foods in walk in cooler labeled with prep date. Instructed all prepped TCS foods must be labeled with discard date when held for more than 24 hours. Priority foundation violation
23
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: No proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago certified food managers.
58
70
Nov 16, 2017
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR TWO DOOR FREEZER EXTERIOR NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT CEILING VENT COVER DUSTY, AND THE WALLS BEHIND THE 3 SINGLE BURNER STOVE'S NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
35
90
Apr 4, 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: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS IMPROPERLY STORED ON FRONT COUNTER, IE. FORKS AND SPOONS , INSTRUCTED TO INVERT(HANDLE UP).
31
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE IGHTSHIELD IN THE FRONT PREP AREA BROKEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
35
90
Feb 4, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL THE BULK SUGAR CONTAINER.
30
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE FAUCET FOR THE MOP SINK IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE 2 ADDITIONAL SINK STOPPERS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: IMPROPER THERMOMETER USED TO TAKE FOOD TEMPERATURES. MUST PROVIDE A PROBE THERMOMETER ABLE TO TAKE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 0-220F WITH 2 DEGREE INCREMENTS.
40
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
78
Apr 7, 2015
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 31, 2015
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
9
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: MISSING SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
16
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RAW WOOD STORAGE SURFACES. INSTD TO SEAL/PAINT SAME.
32
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT SAME.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: UTILITY SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR, WATER CONSTANTLY FLOWING, UNABLE TO TURN OFF. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME.
38
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gordo's Tamales last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gordo's Tamales on file is from Jun 25, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gordo's Tamales?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Gordo's Tamales.
Has Gordo's Tamales' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Gordo's Tamales have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Gordo's Tamales 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 Gordo's Tamales inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gordo's Tamales is inspected around two times per year on average.
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