Lito's Tamales

4242 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 6, 2025
100
Score
Low Risk

Going back to 2023, Lito's Tamales has five inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Nov 6, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around zero violations lately and about 13 violations before that.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing 11 times across the record.

Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Lito's Tamales is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 6, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 23, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER ON SITE. HANDWASHING SINKS AND WAREWASHING HOT WATER TEMPERATURE FOUND AT 65.3-65.5F. INSTRUCTED MUST RESTORE HOT WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK AT 100F AND WAREWASHING SINK AT 110F AND MUST BE ABLE TO BE MAINTAINED FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED.
50
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE BEFORE THE END OF THE WALK-THROUGH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO RECENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS INSIDE AN ADEQUATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (C), CITATION ISSUED
38
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 05/14/2024, REPORT # 2594535 #47: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE. #57: OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. #58: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
60
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THREE MISSING SINK STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
48
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF AND MAINTAIN.
38
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TONGES STORED ON A PILE OF WIPING CLOTHS STORED ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND MAINTAIN.
43
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SERVING SPOONS IN THE REAR NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LEFT WATER KNOB ON THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT ABLE TO OPERATE WATER. ALSO OBSERVED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WATER KNOB ON THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE REAR IN NEED OF CLEANING. ALSO, OBSERVED THE SHELVES UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT CLOSET IN THE LOBBY WITH CLUTTER. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE MENTIONED CLOSET AND MAINTAIN.
55
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May 14, 2024
Routine
4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION
10
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 10:35AM TO 11:0AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN TAMALES WERE PREPARED. AT 11:00AM CERTIFIED MANAGER JOSE PARADA ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY CONTAINER OF SNOW BAL BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
40
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Nov 6, 2023
Reinspection
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS ON WESTSIDE AND BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11: OBSERVED MISSING DOOR HANDLE COVER ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLE COVER AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C): OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 6-501.19: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114: OBSERVED TWO EYE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BACKYARD AND UNUSED DOUBLE UPRIGHT OVEN IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNECESSARY ITEMS FROM KITCHEN AND BACKYARD.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.11: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN CEILING IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLES FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL CRACKED, DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO REGISTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.16: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12: OBSERVED DEBRIS IN CORNERS IN HALLWAY LEADING TO WASHROOM, UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT, IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS OF FLOOR IN KITCHEN AND DEAD MOTH AND SPIDER ON WALLS LEADING TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
55
64
Oct 30, 2023
License
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 12 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE WITH ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ENCLOSURE IN DINING AREA WITH NO LOCKED DOOR PREVENTING CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL DOOR ON ICE MACHINE ENCLOSURE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
39
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY FIVE RAT DROPPINGS AND FOUR MOUSE DROPPINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY, REMOVE DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
38
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS ON WESTSIDE AND BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET AT BOTTOM OF ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING DOOR HANDLE COVER ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLE COVER AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WHITE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS IN CORNERS IN HALLWAY LEADING TO WASHROOM, UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT, IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS OF FLOOR IN KITCHEN AND DEAD MOTH AND SPIDER ON WALLS LEADING TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN CEILING IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLES FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED DAMAGED BASEBOARDS AND WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND BASEBOARD UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL CRACKED, DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO REGISTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO EYE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BACKYARD AND UNUSED DOUBLE UPRIGHT OVEN IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNECESSARY ITEMS FROM KITCHEN AND BACKYARD.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ON WALL VENT COVER NEXT TO HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP OF BLACK GREASE IN VENT OF EXHAUST HOOD. INSTUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS.
58
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lito's Tamales last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lito's Tamales on file is from Nov 6, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lito's Tamales?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 11 times, more than any other issue at Lito's Tamales.

Has Lito's Tamales' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Lito's Tamales have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly 13 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lito's Tamales 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 Lito's Tamales inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Lito's Tamales is inspected around two times per year on average.