Machetes & Machetacos
Last inspected: Oct 3, 2025
86
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Machetes & Machetacos stretching back to 2017. Machetes & Machetacos was last inspected on Oct 3, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around three violations, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Machetes & Machetacos is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 3, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK WITH BUILDUP OF GRIME ON HOT AND COLD-WATER FIXTURES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST AND COBWEBS IN CORNERS OF WALLS IN DINING ROOM. OBSERVED DUST ON FANS IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PERIMETER OF DINING ROOM AS WELL AS FANS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Apr 4, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING AND DAMAGED PAINT ON WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND RESTORE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE PIC AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PIC TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN THE CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
58
90
Apr 5, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA, DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES ON SITE. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD WATER LEAK ON REAR HAND WASHING SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
51
86
Mar 29, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD (BEEF 151.9F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2546710 ON 1-20-22:16- INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. 38-FRONT ENTRANCE AND REAR EMPLOYEE EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTD TO RODENT PROOF/PROTECT OUTER OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.55-CLUTTER AND STOCK ON FLOOR IN STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESARRY ARTICES AND MAINTAIN ALL STOCK/STORAGE 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
60
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AND SERVING AREAS, SINGLE SERVICE CUPS STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN GUARDS IN WALK-IN COOLER, FOOD DEBRIS ON PREP TABLES, ROLLING CARTS, COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD WATER LEAK ON REAR HAND WASHING SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA, DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES ON SITE. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
55
Jan 20, 2022
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FRONT ENTRANCE AND REAR EMPLOYEE EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTD TO RODENT PROOF/PROTECT OUTER OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GREASE INTERCEPTOR OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH RUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL RUST AND MAINTAIN
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLUTTER AND STOCK ON FLOOR IN STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESARRY ARTICES AND MAINTAIN ALL STOCK/STORAGE 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO LOCATE ALLERGEN TRAINING VERIFICATION. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
78
Dec 16, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BOTTOM SHELF OF PRE TABLE WITH PLASTIC LINING WITH RUSTY SURFACES UNDERNEATH. INSTD TO REMOVE LINING AND RUST SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
95
May 10, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: VARIETY OF FOOD NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED RICE, COOKED CHICKEN, ETC.) REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT TCS FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.
58
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: REAR EXIT DOOR WITH APPROX 1/4 GAP AT BOTTOM. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: PEELING PAINT ON FLOOR IN PREP AREAS. INSTD TO RESEAL SAME SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
64
Jun 18, 2018
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 59*F AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, DO NOT USE THIS COOLER MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT 40*F OR BELOW. 2 DOOR COOLER TAGGED AT THIS TIME CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALY HAZADROUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT 2 DOOR COOLER IE, PORK 3LBS AT 56.1*F, CHICKEN 3LBS 54.3*F, PORK 3 LBS 55.7*F, BEEF 2LBS. 56.6*F, GREEN SALSA 4LBS 51.9*F, RED SALSA 4 LBS 50.3*F,RICE 5LBS. 54.6*F, 5LBS SOUR CREAM 52.6*F INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISPOSE OF ALL FOOD 29 LBS OF FOOD VALUE AT $145.00. CRITICAL VIOLATION ISUED 7-38-005A
3
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLAN NOT PROPERLY LABELED, PREMISES IS MAKING FLAN HERE NOW. INSTRUCTED ON PROPER LABELING.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP AND REAR DISH AREA PEELING, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE FLOORING.
34
82
Apr 25, 2018
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLAN NOT PROPERLY LABELED, COMMING FROM OTHER LOCATION(4888 S ARCHER). INSTRUCTED ON PROPER LABELING.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE RACKS, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST OR REPLACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT CHAR GRILL NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND REAR DISH AREA PEELING PAINT, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE FLOORING.
34
82
Apr 10, 2017
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CRACKED SNEEZE GUARD ABOVE SALAD BAR, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE RACKS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR WORN, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPACE BETWEEN WALL AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO CAULK.
35
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Machetes & Machetacos last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Machetes & Machetacos on file is from Oct 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Machetes & Machetacos?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Machetes & Machetacos.
Has Machetes & Machetacos' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Machetes & Machetacos 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 Machetes & Machetacos 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 Machetes & Machetacos inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Machetes & Machetacos is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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