La Palapa
Last inspected: Jul 29, 2021
70
Score
The health department has logged five inspections at La Palapa, the earliest from 2018. The most recent report on file is from Jul 29, 2021. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. The file hasn't been updated since Jul 29, 2021, so take the current picture with that in mind.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to six violations per visit.
“Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting La Palapa on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 29, 2021
Reinspection
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-302.13--OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR DEVICE TO MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11--OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD AT HANDWASHING SINK AT REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AT LEFT SIDE NEXT TO POT/PAN STORAGE SHELF.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-304.11--OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--FOOD HANDLER WITH INCOMPLETE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
70
Jul 27, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTEWATER BACKING-UP FROM OPEN SITE DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER IS FILLED AND DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C),CITATION ISSUED.
52
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR DEVICE TO MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED (1) CONTAINER OF SHELLFISH (OYSTERS) HELD INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER WITH NO SHELLFISH TAG/LABEL.MANAGEMENT DISCARDED,DENATURED SHELLFISH(OYSTERS) DURING THIS INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT SHELLSTOCK TAGS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ATTACHED UNTIL CONTAINER IS EMPTY OR RETAGGED AND THEREAFTER KEPT ON FILE FOR 90 DAYS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED. (COS).
14
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER WITH INCOMPLETE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS.
56
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD AT HANDWASHING SINK AT REAR DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AT LEFT SIDE NEXT TO POT/PAN STORAGE SHELF.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING (3) LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES.
56
45
Aug 16, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ENROLL IN THE FOODSERVICE SANITATION PROGRAM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NO CITATION ISSUED
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER'S SANITATION CERTIFICATE NOT POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CRATE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR CLEAN UP POLICY/KIT ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE CLEAN UP PROCEDURES/KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
25
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS LEADING INTO BAR AND KITCHEN AREAS WITH NO BARRIERS.INSTRUCTED TO PUT UP BARRIERS(I.E. SWINGING DOORS TO PUT A PROTECTIVE BARRIER BETWEEN FOOD AND CUSTOMER. CORE VIOLATION
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICES AT MOP SINK,COFFEE MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL BACKFLOW AT THESE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT CORE VIOLATION
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER BEHIND BUILDING IN THE FORM OF STORE FIXTURES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE STORE FIXTURES CORE VIOLATION
55
52
Apr 6, 2018
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT LINE HOOD WITH BURNT CHAR INSIDE HOOD.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE CHAR FROM HOOD
38
95
Mar 6, 2018
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF WALK-IN COOER SPASHED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR UNDER EXPOSED HANDSINK AT HOT LINE AREA NEEDS CLEANING.
34
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: WALK-IN FREEZER NOT MAINTAINING A TEMPERATURE OF 0 F TEMP READING AT 45 F.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR WALK-IN FREEZER. NO FOOD INSIDE FREEZER CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
2
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: SANITIZING RINSE AT HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT 159 F.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ADJUST THE MACHINE TO 180 F SANITIZING RINSE. CRITICAL VIOATION 7-38-30
8
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING PANEL ABOVE DISHMACHINE PEELING.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE CEILING PANEL
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT LINE HOOD WITH BURNT CHAR INSIDE HOOD.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE CHAR FROM HOOD. OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET HANDLES AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR FAUCET HANDLES.
38
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Palapa last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Palapa on file is from Jul 29, 2021. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Palapa?
Across the inspection record, “contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Palapa.
Has La Palapa's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Palapa have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Palapa means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
Nearby Restaurants