The Churro Waffle
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2018, The Churro Waffle has nine inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 18, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about five violations before that.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so The Churro Waffle trails the local norm. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN OR POSTER NEAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SIGN OR POSTER AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION ARE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES INSIDE THE REAR UNISEX CUSTIMERS WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING ABOVE PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND UNDERNEATH DISHWASHING MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
56
78
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
40
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN ANY OF THE COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
36
90
Feb 27, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER ON COOKING LINE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
36
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY WIPING CLOTH ON COOKING LINE. STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE. REPLACE SOILED CLOTHS AS NEEDED.
41
90
Apr 10, 2023
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 FOUND EXPIRED APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
90
Apr 3, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
25
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE BEHIND UPPER AND LOWER PANEL WITH MINIMAL BUILD-UP.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT, OREO ETC)
37
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: REAR EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE SAID DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND EXPIRED APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
67
Jan 13, 2022
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS (WASH ROOMS).
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDED HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN PREP LINE 2 DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDERNEATH THE COOKING GRILL AND STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLED DRIED-UP FOOD DEBRIS.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN VENTILATION IN EMPLOYEE UNISEX WASHROOM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF DUSTS.
56
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROTOCOL.MUST HAVE A WRITTEN RECORD DESCRIBING PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING PROOF OF VACCINATION IN PUBLIC PLACES.
64
74
Jan 6, 2021
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.
16
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT/GRIME BUILD UP INSIDE ALL FLOOR DRAINS IN PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Nov 15, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATED TCS FOODS WITHOUT SELL BY DATE ON LABELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH REMINDER ON MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH REMINDER (1. ASTERIK NEXT TO THE FOOD AND 2. STATEMENT ABOUT THE FOOD) OR TABLE TENTS/PLACARDS ON ALL TABLES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE. MUST PROVIDE SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL AND ICE BIN. MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT SAID LOCATION.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
40
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
50
Jun 8, 2018
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE NUMBER OF EXPOSED HAND SINKS ON PREMISES: THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA DOES NOT CONTAIN AN EXPOSED HAND SINK. INSTUCTED TO INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
11
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE GREASE RECEPTACLE LOCATED OUTSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL GREASE ACCUMULATION AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
19
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT FRYERS AND THE GASKETS ON THE 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER TO REMOVE GREASE ACCUMULATION AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A CEILING VENTILATION UNIT IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
38
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Churro Waffle last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Churro Waffle on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Churro Waffle?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Churro Waffle.
Has The Churro Waffle's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Churro Waffle 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 The Churro Waffle 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 The Churro Waffle inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Churro Waffle is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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