La Esperanza Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
95
Score
Inspectors have visited La Esperanza Restaurant 13 times, with records going back to 2010. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 2, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
“Adequate ventilation & lighting” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; La Esperanza Restaurant is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: HOOD FILTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
95
Apr 25, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD GUARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: 4-502.13 OBSERVED COOKED RICE BEING STORED IN GROCERY BAGS LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE BAGS ONLY.
45
90
Mar 27, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-603.15 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING THE LARGE POTS THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 4-COMPARTMENT AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON THE PROCEDURE OF WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING LARGE EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE LARGE EQUIPMENT OR PROVIDE A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK THAT HAS COMPARTMENTS LARGE ENOUGH TO FIT THE LARGE EQUIPMENT.
48
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A MINOR BROWNISH SUBSTANCE LOCATED ON THE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
16
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 OBSERVED TORTILLA CHIP CONTAINERS BEING STACKED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT PROTECTION BETWEEN EACH SERVING. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE WAX PAPER SHEETS IN BETWEEN EACH CONTAINER OF TORTILLA CHIPS AND ON THE TOP OF THE TORTILLA CHIPS IN ORDER TO PROTECT FROM ANY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. THE MANAGER CORRECTED DURING THE INSPECTION.
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86
Apr 27, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD CHICKEN AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 53F LOCATED IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE APPROX. 5 LBS OF CHICKEN AT $30. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND UTILITY SINK NOT DRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
82
Apr 21, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN LOCATED BEHIND THE BAR AT THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
51
90
Apr 14, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 7, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE MACHINE WITH BLACK AND PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO EMPTY, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS(TACOS, EGGS, RICE AND BEANS, ETC)ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER SHALL BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
2
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS MISSING IN THE MEN'S HANDICAP, WOMEN'S HANDICAP, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
56
78
Sep 5, 2019
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CEILING TILES, AND CEILING LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH AREA NOT CLEAN INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
95
Aug 13, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
5
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DISHES IN BASEMENT STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENTCONTAMINATION.
45
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE DUST BUILD-UP ON HOUSING OF FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER AND ON CEILING OF WALK-IN COOLER.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
58
70
Apr 28, 2017
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED COOKED BEANS AT 44.4F, EGGS AT 43.9F, COOKED RICE AT 43.5F, SOUP AT 44.4F, BEEF AT 43.9F, SHRIMP AT 43.5F, CHICKEN AT 43.9F, MILK AT 43.5F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 550# OF FOOD WORTH $807. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOODS STORED IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER. ALSO OBSERVED A MILK JUG FILLED WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND NOT TO REUSE MILK CONTAINERS.
32
90
Dec 23, 2016
License
No violations found.
100
Mar 12, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 11, 2010
License
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. OUTSIDE GARBAGE AND STORAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. FOUND DUMPSTER LIDS WIDE OPEN WITH OVERFLOWING GARBAGE, LITTER, FOOD DEBRIS SURROUNDING GROUND, UNUSED EQUIPMENT I.E COOLER, FRYER, LARGE STONES NOTED WITH RAT DROPPINGS AT SAID AREA BY REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID AREA AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS 7-38-020.
19
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO PAINT INTERIOR OF BEVERAGE COOLER AT FRONT PREP AREA AND INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RAW WOOD SURFACES AT STAIRWELL.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. FOLLOWING NEEDS DETAIL CLEANING AND SANITIZING: INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, DEEP FRYER, ICE MACHINE,VENTILATION HOOD, LIGHT SHIELDS AT VENTILATION HOOD, WALLS AROUND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, UNDER, VENT COVERS IN TOILET ROOMS, FILTERS AT DISH MACHINE HOOD, INTERIOR OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, ICE BINS, AND 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE STANDING WATER SECTIONS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING PANELS AT DINING AREA AND SEAL UNFINISHED DRY WALL AT BASEMENT.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS AT FRONT ENTRANCE, BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, AND AT VENTILATION HOOD IN KITCHEN.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS AND PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens. All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE CLEANING EQUIPMENT, ORGANIZE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA, REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS,AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALL TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
41
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Esperanza Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Esperanza Restaurant on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Esperanza Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Esperanza Restaurant.
Has La Esperanza Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Esperanza Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Esperanza Restaurant 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 La Esperanza Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Esperanza Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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