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ALEX LA MICHOACANA

4819 W Diversey AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60639 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ALEX LA MICHOACANA has been inspected 13 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 29, 2018. The most recent inspection, on March 10, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

7 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 1, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 19, 2024. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on March 10, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on February 20, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on February 20, 2019. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

13 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS IN CABINET IN WASHROOM UNDER HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED M&M,SPRINKLES, PEANUT AND OATMEAL OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER COOLER UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 2:05PM TO 2:30PM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS MILK WERE PREPARED. AT 2:30PM CERTIFIED MANAGER JOSEPH MORENO 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.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED M&M,SPRINKLES, PEANUT AND OATMEAL OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER COOLER UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • FOUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED; SINK IS LEAKING WHEN WATER FROM COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED AND GETTING ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET DRAINAGE SYSTEM SERVICED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
  7. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND THE DIPPER WELL CLOSEST TO THE CASH REGISTER INOPERABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES. FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.
  10. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Complaint

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER TO TAKE HOT AND COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NO LABELS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE PREPACKAGED POTATO CHIPS AND CHICHARRONES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LABEL ON THESE FOODS WITH ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE WAS OBSERVED IN THE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE A CURRENT AND VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
  12. Complaint

    0 infractions

  13. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO TOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN (3) STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER DISHWASHING PRACTICE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS UNUSED (BROKEN) CHEST FREEZER AT FRONT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL UNKNOWN CLEANING SPRAY BOTTLES AND MAINTAIN.

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