Tepalcates Restaurant Company

2326 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Tepalcates Restaurant Company has three inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent report on file is from Sep 24, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

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.

“Management, food employee and conditional employee” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Tepalcates Restaurant Company is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 24, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE CONTAINER OF COOKED RICE STORED IN CONTAINER IN SUCH A WAY THAT DOES NOT FACILITATE HEAT TRANSFER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE COOKED TCS FOODS IN SUCH A WAY THAT FACILITATES MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER SUCH AS BY DIVIDING INTO SMALLER CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAUCETS AT BOTH 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS ON-SITE IN POOR REPAIR, LEAKING BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCETS TO ELIMINATE LEAKS AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS BENEATH SHELVES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

Oct 29, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Previous core violation corrected

Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 8/11/2023, REPORT #2579951. #58-- FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLATES IN KITCHEN FACING UP. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INVERTED TO PREVENT ANY SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.

Aug 11, 2023

License

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL CEILING PANEL ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE PREP TABLE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST BE SMOOTH, NON ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL CEILING PANEL ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE PREP TABLE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST BE SMOOTH, NON ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WORN OUT/PEELING WRAP AROUND WATER LINE ABOVE BASEMENT PREP AREA.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED BEHIND ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tepalcates Restaurant Company last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tepalcates Restaurant Company on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tepalcates Restaurant Company?

Across the inspection record, “management, food employee and conditional employee” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tepalcates Restaurant Company.

Has Tepalcates Restaurant Company's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Tepalcates Restaurant Company 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 Tepalcates Restaurant Company 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 Tepalcates Restaurant Company inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tepalcates Restaurant Company is inspected roughly once per year on average.

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