Shortys Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Dec 12, 2025
64
Score
Shortys Mexican Grill appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Dec 12, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to six violations.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited five times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: 3-301.11(B) OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS. OBSERVED THE MANAGER PREPARING A TORTA AND TAKING THE TORTA OFF THE GRILL TOUCHING THE TOP OF THE TORTA BREAD WITH HIS BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO NEVER TOUCH READY TO EAT FOODS WITH BARE HAND CONTACT AND ALWAYS USE TONGS, SPOONS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES TO HANDLE ALL READY TO EAT FOODS. MANAGER WASHED HIS HANDS AND PROVIDED FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010(B).
9
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS COOKED MEATS AND DICED TOMATOES STORED IN A REFRIGERATION UNIT WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING A DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL THE DISCARD DATE FOR ALL READY TO EAT FOODS THAT ARE HELD IN A REFRIGERATION UNIT FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
23
Gloves used properly
Inspector notes: 3-304.15 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT USING FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO REVIEW WHEN TO USE FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES (TO PREVENT BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS) AND WHEN TO CHANGE GLOVES WITH ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
46
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER DRY STORAGE SHELVES AND BEHIND REACH IN FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11 OBSERVED A SLIGHT BROWNISH SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF FOOD IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
37
64
Feb 24, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET ON PREP COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET IN NEED OF CLEANING IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53
86
Jul 9, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP HANDLE LAYING ON ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
57
82
Aug 29, 2023
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS UNDER/AROUND EQUIPMENT AND IN THE CORNERS WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH GREASE, FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND A BED IN A SIDE ROOM IN THE REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER SLEEPING QUARTERS MUST BE SEPARATED FROM AREAS USED FOR RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT OPERATIONS BY A SELF-CLOSING DOOR OR COMPLETE PARTITIONING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND MOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE MOPS HANGING UP TO PROPERLY DRY. MAINTAIN SAME.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND THE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FIX AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION.
56
70
Sep 19, 2022
License
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shortys Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Shortys Mexican Grill on file is from Dec 12, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Shortys Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Shortys Mexican Grill.
Has Shortys Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Shortys Mexican Grill have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Shortys Mexican Grill 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 Shortys Mexican Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Shortys Mexican Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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