La Catrina Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 14, 2025
67
Score
Across the available record, La Catrina Mexican Restaurant has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent visit was on Oct 14, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “adequate ventilation & lighting”, which has been cited four times.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting La Catrina Mexican Restaurant on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 14, 2025
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT VENTS WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST ON THEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS STORED.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON BOTH OF THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH UNITS.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO MISSING LIGHTS UNDER BOTH HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR BOTH UNITS.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD WORKERS ON DUTY WITHOUT THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS. INSTUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE OR ON PERSON.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY SALVADOR CORTEZ WITHOUT THE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INFORMED THAT EVERY CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING HAND WASHING SIGNAGE IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO HAND WASHING SINKS IN NEED OF A SPLASH GUARD...THE ONE IN THE DISH WASHING AREA DUE TO THE CLEAN UTENSIL SITTING TO THE RIGHT OF THE HAND SINK...THE OTHER ON THE SIDE WHERE THE HOT HOLDING STATION IS LOCATED AS IT SITS TO THE RIGHT OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT UTENSILS AND SERVING DISHES.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HANDLES OF THE TWO DOOR REACH IN COOLING UNIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE CHIPS AND SALSA ARE PREPARED BROKEN WITH VERY SHARP EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
67
Mar 5, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 24, 2025
Complaint
3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED
3
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS ON GROUND AND GARBAGE IN CONTAINER WITH LIDS CLOSED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED
54
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND VARIOUS HANDSINKS WITH EITHER NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL HANDWASHING STATIONS TO HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON SITE TO HAVE A PEST SERVICE AND HAVE THE BOOK UPDATED TO CONTAIN ALL INFORMATION. PRIORTIY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED
38
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 BUCKETS OF DIRTY WET TOWELS. ALL DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS IN NEED OF AIR DRYER TO ELIMATE ALL HAZARDS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD IN REACH IN AND WALK IN COOLERS BEING STORED IN SOUR CREAM CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS AT ALL TIMES.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGANIZE ALL COOLERS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: LEAK AT P-TRAP ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA IN NEED OF REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS AT SIDE STORAGE AREA, FRONT BAR AREA AND PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALLFOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
56
52
Oct 24, 2024
License
No violations found.
100
Oct 11, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE NEEDED BY SANITATION CERTIFICATE HOLDER INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
58
90
Oct 3, 2024
License
12 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: ALL HANDSINKS IN PREP AND WASHROOM IN NEED OF SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: ALL HANDSINKS IN PREP AREA AND WASHROOMS IN NEED OF SIGN FOR HANDWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
10
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: ALL REFRIGERATION (WALKIN, AND REACH IN COOLERS) MUST BE ON AND AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALK IN COOLER AND HAVE ALL COOLERS ON AND AVAILBLE.
22
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: CONSUMER ADVISORY MUST BE POSTED ON MENU WITH REMINDER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
25
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF REPAIR. WALK IN COOLER NOT FUNCTIONING AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
33
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
38
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PLAN FOR SANITIZER SYSTEM OR PRODUCTS ON SITE
48
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF COVERED WASTE CAN INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
53
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA IS A SHARED SPACE WITH NEIGHBORING TAVERN. ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES MUST BE UP OFF GROUND AND OR REMOVED TO ELIMINATE RODENT HARBORAGE INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
54
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN POOR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE NEEDED BY SANITATION CERTIFICATE HOLDER INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
58
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Catrina Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Catrina Mexican Restaurant on file is from Oct 14, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Catrina Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Catrina Mexican Restaurant.
Has La Catrina Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Catrina Mexican Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Catrina Mexican Restaurant 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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