Tamaleria Lupita
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
82
Score
Inspectors have visited Tamaleria Lupita 10 times, with records going back to 2021. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 19, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE LEAK AT BOTTOM PIPE OF FIRST SINK COMPARTMENT WHERE PIPE AND DRAIN CONNECT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL IN REAR OF FACILTY WHERE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS CREATING DAMAGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION HAS EXPIRED ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN UPDATE TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
82
Jun 9, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (TAMALES). INSTD TO HAVE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
2
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO TOILET TISSUE IN TOILET ROOM NOR ON PREMISES. INSTD TO HAVE IN TOILET ROOM AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE LEFT TO OBTAIN TOILET PAPER AND RETURNED AT END OF INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
53
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: CONTAINERS OF SAUCE STORED ON FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN
39
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO PROVDE AND MAINTAIN
58
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES
1
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: STYROFOAM CUPS SUBMERGED IN SALSA CONTAINERS AND BEING USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS. INSTD TO REMOVE CUPS AND USE PROPER DISPENSING UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION
39
67
Jun 6, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SALSA STORED IN 2-DOOR COOLER COVERED IN FOOD SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON THE WALL NEAR THE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE WALL BETWEEN THE DISH AREA AND THE REAR RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE
55
90
May 29, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM THE 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO THE 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR BEFORE RE-INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES (DISPOSABLE MOP, DISPOSABLE LATEX GLOVES, DISPOSABLE MASK, AND ADEQUATE SANITIZER *MUST ELIMINATE NOROVIRUS*) ON SITE TO PROPERLY CLEAN UP ANY VOMIT OR DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT FRONT PREP AREA HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGN AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF BULK INGREDIENTS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL ALL BULK ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER WITH COMMON NAME.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUP STORED IN CONTAINER OF LIQUID BEING USED AS SERVING UTENSIL. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER UTENSIL FOR SERVICE.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING AT THE LEFT SIDE AND MIDDLE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SALSA STORED IN 2-DOOR COOLER COVERED IN FOOD SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON THE WALL NEAR THE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE WALL BETWEEN THE DISH AREA AND THE REAR RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
61
Jun 1, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
95
Apr 10, 2023
Reinspection
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2573553 ON 4-3-23:48-OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR IMMERSIOON OF LARGEST FOOD EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR PROVIDE SMALLER FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
59
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN DISH WASHING AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSRVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS TO PROTECT LIP CONTACT SURFACES FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
74
Apr 3, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR IMMERSION OF LARGEST FOOD EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR PROVIDE SMALLER FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN DISH WASHING AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO CONTAINERS OF CORN HUSKS STORED INSIDE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
70
May 2, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS AND FOOD GRIME ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SHELVING IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Oct 14, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2021
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA KIT ON SITE AT TIME OF REINSPECTION INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: HAND SINK NEEDED AT DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST HAVE NAME OF PRODUCT INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
37
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tamaleria Lupita last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tamaleria Lupita on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tamaleria Lupita?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tamaleria Lupita.
Has Tamaleria Lupita's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tamaleria Lupita have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tamaleria Lupita 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 Tamaleria Lupita inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tamaleria Lupita is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants