Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
100
Score
Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries has been inspected 15 times since 2016. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 28, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “allergen training as required”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 17, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS.
58
95
Apr 28, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 18, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS LINERS FOR SHELVING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
45
95
Apr 11, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 RAT DROPPINGS ALONG THE WALL IN CORNER OF BASEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(a). CITATION ISSUED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ELIMINATE ALL EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISES.
38
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS LINERS FOR SHELVING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
45
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS (COOLER) BEHIND SERVING LINE. ALSO OBSERVED CLUTTER IN BASMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO CLUTTER IN BASMENT AND REMOVE COOLER TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND KEEP EVERYTHING ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF OF THE FLOOR.
55
82
May 20, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6 INCHES OR MORE OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
47
95
Mar 4, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.17 OBSERVED RAW WOOD ON THE COUNTERS LOCATED AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA/CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RAW WOOD.
47
86
Mar 1, 2019
Reinspection
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
58
78
Feb 25, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR VOMITING AND DIARHEAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 33 JARS OF MOLE, SALAS,ON PREMISES WHICH HAS BEEN CANNED IN THE RESTAURANT WITH OUT A HACCP/VARIANCE REVIEW, OR APPROVAL BY CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005. ALL 33 JARS WERE REMOVED FROM SALE, AND HELD/TAGGED FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CONTACT CDPH SO INSPECTOR CAN COME AND REMOVE TAG, AND OBSERVED DUMPING OF THE PRODUCT. ALSO INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CONTACT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG, ATN. PARTICK OCONNER FOR HACCP/VARIANCE APPLICATIONS/FORMS.
29
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
58
70
Jun 8, 2018
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: CHEST FREEZER CONTAINING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD(COOKED PULLED PORK AND BAGS OF ICE) NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE(38.5F). INSTRUCTED THAT FREEZER MUST MAINTAIN FOOD AT O DEGREES OR LOWER. CHEST FREEZER TAG HELD FOR INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
2
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD, (13) 1-POUND BAGS OF COOKED PULLED PORK IN CLEAR PERMEABLE PLASTIC BAGS STORED PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN WATER AND ICE WITHIN A CHEST FREEZER AT REAR OF PREP AREA. ALSO NOTED THAT (7) 7LB BAGS OF ICE WERE ALSO IN A PLASTIC BAG PLACED OVER THE BAGS OF COOKED PULLED PORK ALSO IN SAME FREEZER. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED BOTH FOOD AND ICE. INSTRUCTED THAT FROZEN FOOD /ICE MUST BE STORED AT 0 DEGREES F OR LOWER. APPROX. WT. 20LBS, VALUE $260.00. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A) ISSUED.
16
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES AT REAR PREP AREA.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AT REAR PREP AREA, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
82
Feb 6, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN/SANITIZE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF 2-DR COLD HOLDING STATION AT REAR PREP AREA AND REFRIGERATOR IN SAME AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND AT CORNERS UNDER PREP TABLE AT REAR PREP AREA OF FOOD DEBRIS.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER FROM BEHIND REAR SERVICE COUNTER, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PROPERLY STORE EMPLOYEES ARTICLES (COATS)FROM SHELF AT REAR.
41
86
Apr 18, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 15, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT WATER PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT. WATER TEMPERATURE WAS 46F AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER DISHWASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
9
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #1631719 ON 2/16/16 NOT CORRECTED: 32 - OBSERVED LARGE POTS NOT ABLE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO USE SMALLER POTS THAT ARE ABLE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT OR REPLACE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. 36 - OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELDS NEEDED OVER THE DRY STORAGE/ PRODUCE AREA /FOOD PREP AREA LOCATED IN THE FRONT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL PREPACKAGED SALSAS AND MOLES MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH NAME OF ITEM, LIST OF ALL INGREDIENTS, NAME AND ADDRESS OF PREPARER, LIST OF ALLERGENS, ETC.
30
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE THE PROPANE STOVES FROM THE PREMISES. PROPANE STOVES CANNOT BE USED INDOORS. REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN LINE.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
78
Feb 16, 2016
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE POTS NOT ABLE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO USE SMALLER POTS THAT ARE ABLE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT. OBSERVED NO DRYING RACK LOCATED ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN WALL TILE UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELDS NEEDED OVER THE DRY STORAGE/ PRODUCE AREA LOCATED IN THE FRONT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EXPOSED HAND SINK LOCATED IN BETWEEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
38
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries.
Has Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries 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 Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Yvolina's Tamales+Groceries is inspected around two times per year on average.
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