I Love Tamales

3218 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60623

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jul 11, 2014

Score

Medium Risk

There aren't many inspections to draw from yet: just two so far. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 11, 2014. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical. The file hasn't been updated since Jul 11, 2014, so take the current picture with that in mind.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around seven violations each, up from closer to two violations before.

Across the inspection history, “refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so I Love Tamales trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jul 11, 2014

Routine

7 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Facilities to maintain proper temperature

Inspector notes: PREP COOLER IN USE IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 54F. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME AND ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. UNIT ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE DRAINAGE FROM CONDENSOR ACCUMULATED ON BOTTOM SHELF. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD TO USE OTHER REFRIGERATION ON SITE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL.

Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service

Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 52.2F-64.4F IN PREP COOLER: 2 PACKAGES OF GROUND BEEF, 1 PACKAGE OF BEEF, 1 DOZEN EGGS, AND 2 LINKS OF CHORIZO. ALL PRODUCT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 15LBS $75 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL.

Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

Inspector notes: NO SOAP NOR SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AT ANY EXPOSED HANDSINKS OR AT TOILET ROOM HANDSINKS. BASIN OF EXPOSED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA FILLED WITH UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT. INSTD TO PROVIDE SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AT ALL TIMES AND KEEP BASIN CLEAR. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.

* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (TAMALES, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 SERIOUS.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ALL FREEZERS/COOLERS, STORAGE SHELVES, STEAM TABLE, AND SINKS NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS. CLEAN SAME AND MAINTAIN.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector notes: LIGHT OUT IN MENS TOILET ROOM. REPLACE SAME.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector notes: PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.

Oct 28, 2013

License

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector notes: THE TWO LIGHT ABOVE THE SERVING AREA HAVE UNSHIELDED BULBS, INSTALL SHIELDED BULBS.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector notes: NO FOOD THERMOMETER ON PREMISES, OBTAIN AN INSTANT READ THERMOMETER.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was I Love Tamales last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at I Love Tamales on file is from Jul 11, 2014. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at I Love Tamales?

Across the inspection record, “refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at I Love Tamales.

Has I Love Tamales' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at I Love Tamales have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at I Love Tamales means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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