Los Chepes
Last inspected: Oct 22, 2025
86
Score
Across the available record, Los Chepes has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2018. Los Chepes was last inspected on Oct 22, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about five violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 22, 2025
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER CONSUMING A BANANA WITH GLOVES ON IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGERS THAT EMPLOYEES MUST CONSUME BEVERAGES/FOOD IN DESIGNATED AREAS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, EQUIPMENT, AND UTENSILS.
6
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEAANBLE
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MISSING COVER ON TRASH RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVER AND MAINTAIN
53
86
Jun 11, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES ON PROPER SHELVING AND MAINTAIN
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED INBETWEEN PREP TABLE AND PREP COOLER. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN (IE, KNIFE RACK, ON CLEAN SURFACE, ETC)
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS ON SITE. INSTD TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD FREE OR LEAD SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON SITE; OR REMOVE CUPS FROM PREMISE
47
86
Apr 15, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM IN DINING ROOM AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA AND IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE ALL ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
55
90
Jun 14, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 7, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NO SANITIZER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTD TO PROVIDE SANITZIER. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005. PERSON IN CHARGE PROVIDED CHLORINE SANITIZER BY END OF INSPECTION.
16
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERTURES IN WALK IN COOLER (COOKED YESTERDAY)) 10LBS OF COOKED REFRIED BEANS AT 63.3F AND 15LBS OF COOKED TOMATOES AT : 52.0F . . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED BEANS AND COOKED TOMATOES. APPROX $100 VALUE.
22
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS ARE COOKED TO ORDER (EX. EGGS, STEAK) WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOOKED TO ORDER OR CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS AND ALSO A REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 50 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON THE GROUND IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS; THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, GARAGE DRY STORAGE AREA, AND ON THE GROUND SURROUNDING GREASE BINS OUTSIDE. INSTD TO SCHEDULE PEST CONTROL AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(a).
38
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSEVRED WET IN USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE COUNTER IN THE WAIT STAFF BEVERAGE AREA. INSTD TO KEEP WIPE CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS ON SITE. INSTD TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD FREE OR LEAD SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON SITE; OR REMOVE CUPS FROM PREMISES
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOPS STORED INSIDE OF BUCKETS IN THE REAR HALLWAY OF FACILITY. INSTD TO HANG MOPS WHEN NOT IN USE TO ALLOW TO DRY.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NO VENTILATION HOOD PROVIDED OVER FLAT TOP GRILL IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE VENTILATION OR REMOVE GRILL FROM PREMISES.
56
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: THERMOMETER NOT PROVIDED TO MONITOR HOT HOLDING UNIT FOR CARNITAS. INSTD TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER.
36
47
Jul 19, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: MISSING EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTD TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGED HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS MISSING COMMON NAME. INSTD TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN
37
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: HANDWASH SINK NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS LOOSE FROM WALL. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE 60
58
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 4/22/19 REPORT 2285520 NOT CORRECTED. 58- MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATES. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON SITE
60
74
Apr 22, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN THE FRONT DISPLAY COOLER. FOUND UNCOOKED BEEF @ 53.1F. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD @ 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN REFRIGERATION. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS OF DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. ESTIMATED VALUE $5. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
3
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS ON PREPPED TCS FOODS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL PREPPED TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD DATE NO MORE THAN 7 DAY FROM PREPARATION DATE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
23
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
58
Jun 28, 2018
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 22, 2018
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: NO HANDSINK IN BASEMENT EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO INSTALL HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE.
11
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: NO BARRIER AT FRONT PREP COUNTER WHERE CARNITAS WILL BE PREPARED AND SERVED (CUTTING BOARD, KNIVES, SCALE) ALSO NO BARRIER AT FRONT PREP AREA WHERE STEAM TABLE LOCATED. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER BARRIER. VIOLATION 7-38-005A SERIOUS.
16
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MISSING SPLASHGUARDS AT REAR EXPOSED HANDSINK INBETWEEN PREP TABLE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN BASEMENT TOILET ROOM.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Los Chepes last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Los Chepes on file is from Oct 22, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Los Chepes?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Los Chepes.
Has Los Chepes' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Los Chepes have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Los Chepes 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 Los Chepes inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Los Chepes is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants