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DULCE MESA

2835 N CENTRAL AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60634 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

DULCE MESA has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 10, 2021. The most recent inspection, on May 20, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food source, labelling and allergens and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 October 21, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 September 29, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 October 21, 2022. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 August 10, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 12 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 16, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES, BOXES AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST REMOVE ITEMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT FROM KITCHEN AREA.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • OBSERVED VACUUM SEALER ON SITE WITHOUT AN APPROVED VARIANCE FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ICE CREAM TOPPINGS WITH COMMON NAME TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE CREAM SCOOPS STORED IN STILL WATER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE UNDER CONTINUOUS WATER WHEN NOT IN USE ALSO OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN CLEAN CONTAINER WHEN NOT BEING USED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AROUND DOUGH MACHINE IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTS AT VENTILATION HOOD. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND WALL AT FRONT ICE CREAM PREPARATION AREAS NOT SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.(EXPOSED BRICK).MUST REPAIR.
  7. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • FOUND FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN: SINKS AND PREPARATION TABLES. MUST CLEAN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • FOUND OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AREAS NOT CLEAN. GARBAGE SPILLAGE SURROUNDING DUMPSTER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(B). MUST CLEAN OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND CLUTTER AT BUSINESS THAT MUST BE REMOVED.(LARGE FLOOR CLEANER MACHINE,LADDER,ETC.)MUST REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND WALL AT FRONT ICE CREAM PREPARATION AREAS NOT SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.(EXPOSED BRICK).MUST REPAIR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND LARGE GAS OVEN NOT COMPLETELY UNDER EXHAUST HOOD. MUST PLACE OVEN COMPLETELY UNDER HOOD.
  8. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING GAP APPROX:1/4" AT BOTTOM CENTER WHERE BOTH REAR DOORS MEET.MUST PEST PROOF SAID DOORS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE PREP TABLES, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE WALK-IN-FREEZER AND PREP COOLERS, STEAM TABLE, AND REAR PREP STORAGE RACKS AND SHELFS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOOR TILES NEED RE-GROUTING UNDERNEATH THE REAR PREP 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE OFFICE SPACE ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND BROKEN/UNUSED EQUIPMENTS DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS ON LIGHT BULBS AT REAR PREP/3-COMP DISHWASHING AREA.MUST PROVIDE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS ON LIGHT BULBS OR PROVIDE SHATTER-PROOF LIGHT BULBS AND MAINTAIN.

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