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DONA CHELA RESTAURANT

2158 W 23RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

DONA CHELA RESTAURANT has been inspected 13 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 4, 2012. The most recent inspection, on September 7, 2021, found no infractions.

6 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 July 25, 2018. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 once on May 29, 2014. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 January 4, 2012. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 10 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2017. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2018. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN/REMOVE ICE BUILD-UP AT INTERIOR BOTTOM OF REACH-IN FREEZER.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF EMPLOYEE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367. MUST PROVIDE. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED MASA STORED IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS ONLY.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS ALONG THE WALL AND IN THE CORNERS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED MOP HEADS BEING STORED IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL MOP HEADS UPRIGHT AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN SIDES AND BASES OF TAMALE PREP TABLE(FOOD DEBRIS).
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING. ORGANIZE SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER. PROPERLY STORE CLEANING EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM FOOD AND UTENSILS. ORGANIZE PREP COOLER.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION. REMOVE STYROFOAM CUPS AND PROVIDE LONG HANDLE UTENSILS FOR DISPENSING CONDIMENTS, SAUCE, SALSA, ETC.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • TAMALES NOT LABELED. MUST LABEL TAMALES WITH DATE, PRODUCER AND INGREDIENTS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST INSTALL COVING AROUND WALLS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER IN BACK YARD. MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER.
  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE DOOR GASKETS AT REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER DOORS IN KITCHEN TO AVOID ESCAPING AIR. (UNITS HOLDING AT PROPER TEMPS AT THIS TIME)
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REMOVE DUST FROM CEILING VENTS WHERE NEEDED IN KITCHEN AND DINING AREA.
  12. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. License

    2 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. Over 20 rat droppings were found in the basement bathroom. 2 live cockroaches were found in the electrical outlets and grease trap under and around the three compartment sink. Remove all evidence of pest activity and clean up all areas of possible harborage.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • The electrical outlets around the three compartment sink area have roach droppings on the face plates and live activity inside, clean out and treat all insect harborage.

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