Las Pinatas

1311-1313 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Public records currently show only two inspections for Las Pinatas. The most recent report on file is from Jan 20, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around six violations to closer to eight violations per visit.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate ventilation & lighting”, showing up two times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Las Pinatas trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 20, 2026

Routine

8 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE TIN CANS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: NOTED NO ONE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE FRONT PREP AREA WHERE MANAGEMENT INTENDS TO PREPARE AND SERVE DRINKS, INCLUDING COCKTAILS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A ONE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR BEVERAGE PREP/RINSE/DUMP PURPOSES.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AT THE BASEMENT FOOD AND SUPPLY DRY STORAGE AREA.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: NOTED BLOWN BULB ABOVE THE COOKING STOVE AT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB WITH LIGHTING PROTECTIVE SHIELDING OR NOT SHATTER PROOF.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: NOTED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES AND ONE MONTH (30 DAYS) GRACE PERIOD FOR NEW HIRES

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: NOTED BULK FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE CONTAINERS AT THE FOOD PREP NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector notes: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AND BOWLS TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

Nov 4, 2025

License

2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE DISHWASHING AREA WITH A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 75.6F AND HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MENS RESTROOM WITH A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 76F. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-030(C). MANAGEMENT INCREASED WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE DURING INSPECTION. HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA REACHED 106.7F AND HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MENS RESTROOM REACHED 105.3F BY THE END OF INSPECTION. -COS.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE AT 77F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE HOT WATER AT A MINIMUM OF 110F AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. MANAGEMENT INCREASED WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE DURING INSPECTION. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MEASURED 111.2F BY THE END OF INSPECTION. -COS.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET CONTINOUSLY LEAKING EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE IN THE WAIT STATION DRINK PREPARATION AREA.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTE CAN WITHOUT A LID INSIDE THE WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER(S). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Las Pinatas last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Las Pinatas on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Las Pinatas?

Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Las Pinatas.

Has Las Pinatas' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Las Pinatas have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Las Pinatas 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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