Mariscos La Costa
Last inspected: Jul 17, 2025
90
Score
Mariscos La Costa appears in inspection records 12 times, starting in 2017. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about six violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited seven times.
Mariscos La Costa's latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 17, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: Found frozen fish placed in 3-comp sink in standing cold water, instructed to thaw under cold running water during.
35
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Damaged and missing rubber gasket at prep cooler in main prep kitchen instructed to replace.
47
90
Sep 23, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 10, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOLD LIKE GROWTH ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF THE ICE MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED. NO PEST CONTROL INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE LAST 12 MONTHS ARE LOCATED ON THE PREMISES IN THE LOG BOOK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A RECENT INSPECTION REPORT FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS AND HOUSE FLIES IN THE FOOD PREP AND BAR AREAS. APPROX. 30 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS WERE OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND CEILING OF THE BAR AND FOOD PREP AREAS AND APPROX. 15 LIVE HOUSE FLIES WERE OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND FLYING AROUND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS, SAUCE BOTTLES AND THE INTERIOR OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE FROZEN DRINK MACHINE.
49
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A DRAIN LINE FOR THE ICE MACHINE DRAINING INTO THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TI REROUTE THE DRAIN LINE TO A FLOOR DRAIN.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GRIME ON THE WALL BELOW THE DISH WASHING MACHINE AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
57
58
Dec 13, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INCOMPLETE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
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 CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED GASKET ON DOOR OF THE FREEZER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF WOMEN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEASONINGS AND OTHER ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
64
Apr 14, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS OF SALSA STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM AND ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NEAR THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE
58
78
Jan 4, 2021
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND CUSTOMER'S WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FEW WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA ABOVE SHELVINGS AND ABOVE REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.OBSERVED CEILING DRYWALL IN DISREPAIR AND COVERED WITH PLASTIC IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA WHERE WALK-IN COOLER IS LOCATED. MUST REPAIR CEILING MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAKE WALLS IN CUSTOMER'S WASHROOM SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD BOXES AS MATTING FOR FLOOR IN FRONT SERVING STATION AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE CUSTOMER'S WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
78
Aug 27, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INOPERABLE WALK-IN COOLER THERMOMETER, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A GOOD WORKING ONE.
36
95
Oct 25, 2019
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 16, 2019
Complaint
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 10/11/19 REPORT#2252431,VIOLATIONS #10 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR TO HAND WASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.#37 MUST PROVIDE LABELS ON FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINER PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. #56 OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE CUSTOMERS WASHROOMS AND VENTS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 742-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #60
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #60
37
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #60
56
78
Jan 11, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR TO HANDWASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DATE MARKETING ON TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
23
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LABELS ON FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINER PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE BIN IN FRONT BAR AREA AND INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE . INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS INSIDE WASHROOM. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN. WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE CUSTOMERS WASHROOMS AND VENTS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
52
Jan 23, 2018
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL A DUMP SINK BEHIND THE BAR AREA.
38
95
Mar 24, 2017
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A DISCHARGE LINE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER RUNNING FROM THE CONDENSER UNIT TO A EMPTY CONTAINER ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE CONDENSER UNIT REPAIRED TO PREVENT DISCHARGE FROM RUNNING INSIDE OF THE COOLER WHERE FOOD ITEMS WILL BE STORED.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE MOP SINK AND THE PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO AVOID SPLASH CONTAMINATION.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT A PLUMBER TO REPAIR SINKS TO ALLOW PROPER DRAINAGE AND MAINTAIN.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mariscos La Costa last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mariscos La Costa on file is from Jul 17, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mariscos La Costa?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Mariscos La Costa.
Has Mariscos La Costa's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mariscos La Costa have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mariscos La Costa 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 Mariscos La Costa inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mariscos La Costa is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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