Los Molcajetes

3532-3536 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Mar 5, 2025
86
Score
Low Risk

Public records show four inspections at Los Molcajetes stretching back to 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 5, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to three violations per visit.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up five times.

The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Los Molcajetes on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 5, 2025
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WIHTOUT HAIR RETSTRAINTS AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHEN HANDLING FOODS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Feb 21, 2025
Complaint
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 MICE DROPPINGS INBETWEEN BULK FOOD CONTAINERS ON STORAGE SHELVES IN BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN SURFACES, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF PEST. RECOMMENDED RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 07/10/2024 INSPECTION, REPORT #2597314 NOT CORRECTED: #16-NOTED UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.#37-NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS #39-FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR. #47-NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF THE 3 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE KITCHEN PREP AND DOOR OF SMALL REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE. ALSO NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT AND/OR REPLACE.#48- NOTED A LARGE POTS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS). #53-NOTED EMPLOYEE WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS (STEAK, CHICKEN, ETC.) WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. VOIDED PHOTOCOPY POSTED IN KITCHEN. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED AND CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST ALSO BE ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WIHTOUT HAIR RETSTRAINTS AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHEN HANDLING FOODS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
55
64
Jul 10, 2024
Complaint
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT SETTING IT UP TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. NO SANITIZER WAS USED TO SET UP THE SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ALWAYS SET UP THE SINK WHEN WASHING EQUIPMENT. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEE SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE USING THE CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025
16
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE SLICING READY TO EAT CHEESE WITH BARE HANDS. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS. MUST WEAR USE GLOVES, TONGS OR SPOONS. PRIORITY #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
9
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE KITCHEN PREP ON FIRST FLOOR AND BASEMENT PREP AREA NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE WITH MOP BUCKET AND FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS INFRONT OF SINKS.MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEES REMOVE THE MOP SINK AND FOOD CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL HAND WASH SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERLOADED AND PREVENTING PROPER LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE DUMPSTER LID CLOSED TO PREVENT FOOD SOURCE FOR PEST. ALSO NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH THICK GREASE ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B). PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B).
54
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.
39
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 TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF THE 3 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE KITCHEN PREP AND DOOR OF SMALL REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE. ALSO NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT AND/OR REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NOTED A LARGE POTS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS)
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING:- --FLOORS UNDERNEATH THE PREP TABLE AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA -- DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN PREP AREA.
55
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
6
35
Oct 5, 2023
License
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD WITH STAIN AND DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF (2) PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE RUSTY METAL RACKS NEXT TO THE PREP TABLE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN AND 3 COMPARTMENT BAR SINK BEHIND THE BAR.
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CONDENSER FAN COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 4 OUT OF 10 EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Los Molcajetes last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Los Molcajetes on file is from Mar 5, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Los Molcajetes?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Los Molcajetes.

Has Los Molcajetes' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Los Molcajetes have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Los Molcajetes means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.