LITO'S TAMALES

4242 W FULLERTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60639 · Restaurant

6 inspections

1. Canvass Re-Inspection6 nov. 2025

   0 infraction

2. Canvass23 oct. 2025

   12 infractions

   • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
     • UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE BEFORE THE END OF THE WALK-THROUGH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF AND MAINTAIN.
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED NO RECENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS INSIDE AN ADEQUATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (C), CITATION ISSUED
   • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
     • OBSERVED TONGES STORED ON A PILE OF WIPING CLOTHS STORED ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
     • OBSERVED THE SERVING SPOONS IN THE REAR NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED THE LEFT WATER KNOB ON THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT ABLE TO OPERATE WATER. ALSO OBSERVED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WATER KNOB ON THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
   • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
     • OBSERVED THREE MISSING SINK STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE REAR IN NEED OF CLEANING. ALSO, OBSERVED THE SHELVES UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
   • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
     • OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER ON SITE. HANDWASHING SINKS AND WAREWASHING HOT WATER TEMPERATURE FOUND AT 65.3-65.5F. INSTRUCTED MUST RESTORE HOT WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK AT 100F AND WAREWASHING SINK AT 110F AND MUST BE ABLE TO BE MAINTAINED FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED THE FRONT CLOSET IN THE LOBBY WITH CLUTTER. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE MENTIONED CLOSET AND MAINTAIN.
   • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
     • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 05/14/2024, REPORT # 2594535 #47: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE. #57: OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. #58: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
3. Canvass14 mai 2024

   14 infractions

   • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
     • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 10:35AM TO 11:0AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN TAMALES WERE PREPARED. AT 11:00AM CERTIFIED MANAGER JOSE PARADA ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
   • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
     • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY CONTAINER OF SNOW BAL BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
   • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
     • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS.
4. License Re-Inspection6 nov. 2023

   9 infractions

   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS ON WESTSIDE AND BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • 4-101.19: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • 4-501.11: OBSERVED MISSING DOOR HANDLE COVER ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLE COVER AND MAINTAIN.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • 4-601.11(C): OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • 6-501.19: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-501.114: OBSERVED TWO EYE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BACKYARD AND UNUSED DOUBLE UPRIGHT OVEN IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNECESSARY ITEMS FROM KITCHEN AND BACKYARD.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-501.11: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN CEILING IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLES FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL CRACKED, DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO REGISTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-501.16: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-501.12: OBSERVED DEBRIS IN CORNERS IN HALLWAY LEADING TO WASHROOM, UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT, IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS OF FLOOR IN KITCHEN AND DEAD MOTH AND SPIDER ON WALLS LEADING TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
5. License30 oct. 2023

   14 infractions

   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY FIVE RAT DROPPINGS AND FOUR MOUSE DROPPINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY, REMOVE DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED OPENINGS ON WESTSIDE AND BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED ICE MACHINE WITH ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ENCLOSURE IN DINING AREA WITH NO LOCKED DOOR PREVENTING CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL DOOR ON ICE MACHINE ENCLOSURE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET AT BOTTOM OF ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING DOOR HANDLE COVER ON ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNDERNEATH WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLE COVER AND MAINTAIN.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN INTERIOR OF ALL THREE COLD HOLDING UNITS(TWO ONE DOOR REFRIGERATORS AND TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT) IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • OBSERVED WHITE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DEBRIS IN CORNERS IN HALLWAY LEADING TO WASHROOM, UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT, IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS OF FLOOR IN KITCHEN AND DEAD MOTH AND SPIDER ON WALLS LEADING TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED HOLES AROUND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN CEILING IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLES FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED DAMAGED BASEBOARDS AND WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND BASEBOARD UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED CRACKED/DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL CRACKED, DAMAGED OR MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO REGISTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED MOP DRYING IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED TWO EYE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BACKYARD AND UNUSED DOUBLE UPRIGHT OVEN IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNECESSARY ITEMS FROM KITCHEN AND BACKYARD.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED DUST ON WALL VENT COVER NEXT TO HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP OF BLACK GREASE IN VENT OF EXHAUST HOOD. INSTUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ANY CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS.
6. License19 oct. 2023

   0 infraction