Que Rico!
Last inspected: Jul 18, 2025
64
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Que Rico! stretching back to 2020. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 18, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Que Rico! trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 18, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS @IMPROPER TEMPERATURE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS... APPROX 2.5LBS BAKED POTATOES, 1.5 LBS POTATO CREAM CHEESE MIX, APPROX 5 LBS COOKED CHICKEN, 2.5 LBS RAW CHICKEN ALL STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLE AS WELL AS INSIDE LARGE REFRIGERATOR WITH COLD HOLD UNIT ATTACHED NOTED TEMPERATURE OF SAID FOOD ITEM RANGED BETWEEN 48-53.0F.INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @41F OR BELOW. ALL SAID FOOD WAS VOLUNTARLY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST APPROX. $115. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AVAILABLE IN PLACE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED. PIC PROVIDED PAPERTOWELS AT THIS TIME.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT SEATING AREA OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
38
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHICKEN THAWING IMPROPERLY INSIDE OF SINK BASIN OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION AND MAINTAIN. NOTED TEMPERATURE OF CHICKEN @30F.
35
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RPOVIDE AMBIENT THERMOMETERS FOR INSIDE COOLING UNITS LOCATED THROUGOUT PREP AREA.INSRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
36
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZING BUCKET AT @LEAST 50 PPM. MUST MAINTAIN.
41
64
Jun 2, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12-OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11-OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND WASH COMPARTMENT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN BASEMENT PREP HAND SINK AND UTILITY SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARDS.
39
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13-OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
86
May 25, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IMPROPERLY DRAINING, WASTE WATER WITH FOOD DEBRIS IMMEDIATELY BACKING UP FROM DRAIN ONTO FLOOR WHEN WATER BEING DRAINED (ONE BASIN AT TIME). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SINK TO DRAIN PROPERLY WITHOUT WASTE WATER BACKING UP AND ACCUMULATING ONTO FLOOR. 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY. CITATION ISSUED.
52
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND WASH COMPARTMENT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN BASEMENT PREP HAND SINK AND UTILITY SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARDS.
39
74
Nov 2, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 20, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 1000 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AREA WHERE FOOD PREP IS DONE, AREA IS CONNECTED TO ADJOINING BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL RAT DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS, AND INFORM PEST CONTROL SERVICE OF ACTIVITY.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDSINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA, OR DOWNSTAIRS BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HAND WASHING SINK IS NEEDED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA WHERE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED FROM RAW INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED UNDER 6-301.12 ABOVE.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT AREA WITH EXCESSIVE A BUILD-UP RUST AND WHITE SLIME SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES IN INTERIOR ICE BIN(ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT (CHLORINE SANITIZER) AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT SINK IN BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN. #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED UNDER 6-301.12 ABOVE.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD RESIDUE AND SPILLAGE ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS DOORS AND BOTTOMS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED AND SEVERELY WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN COUNTER SALES/DINING ROOM AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOLES AND IN WALLS IN BASEMENT AREA BY WALK IN COOLER AND NEED SODA SYRUP CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN BASEMENT AREA, AND PEELING PAINT ON CEILING OVER PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR PAINT AND ELEVEATE ALL ITEMS FROM FLOOR AT LEAST SIX INCHES AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE OF FILTERS IN HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
39
Dec 8, 2020
Recent Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
95
Nov 3, 2020
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: COVER/SEAL OPENING IN FLOOR OF AREA BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE/PROPERLY STORE UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AREA.
55
86
Oct 27, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT ON PREMISES NOT FUNCTIONING AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE ENOUGH EQUIPMENT WITH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY FOR HOT HOLDING OF FOODS REQUIRING TEMPERATURE CONTROL TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE OPERATION. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL IN WASHROOM.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND COVER/SEAL OPENING IN FLOOR OF SAME AREA.
55
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Que Rico! last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Que Rico! on file is from Jul 18, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Que Rico!?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Que Rico!.
Has Que Rico!'s inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Que Rico! have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Que Rico! means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Que Rico! inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Que Rico! is inspected around two times per year on average.
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