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EL GALLO MEXICAN FOOD

2547 W 111TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60655 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL GALLO MEXICAN FOOD has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 18, 2022. The most recent inspection, on April 13, 2026, recorded 6 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 1, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 2, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 April 13, 2026. For example: NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

  • 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 June 20, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 June 20, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING GLOVES WHILE PREPARING READY TO EAT TCS FOODS CUSTOMERS TACOS: OBSERVED HIM ADDING TOPPING/CONDIMENTS SUCH AS ONIONS,LETTUCE AND TOMATOES WITH SAID TACO SHELL IN HIS BARE HAND. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLER TO WASH HIS HAS AND PROPERLY USE GLOVES WHILE HANDLING TCS READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS. ALSO INTRUCTED MANAGER THAT THERE IS NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-010.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BRICKS BEING USED TO HOLD UP SHELVING INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO LID ON THE GARBAGE CAN IN THE CUSTOMERS WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE VENT COVER IN THE CUSTOMERS WASHROOM WITH HEAVY DUST. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PROPERLY WORK(VENTILATION AIR FLOW).
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER/COOK WITHOUT HIS FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE LOWER SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING (POSSIBLE PIPES) ABOVE THE LIGHTING IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DEEP FREEZER UNIT AND THE FLOOR AND WALL AREA UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND POSSBLE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER PRESENT WHILE FOODS; SUCH AS, SCHICKEN,BEEF, FISH, AND OTHER TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED. INSTRUCTED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE FACILITY IS OPENED AND OPERATING AND WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TESTING DEVICES FOR MANUAL WARE WASHING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE AT RETURN INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE LOWER SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING (POSSIBLE PIPES) ABOVE THE LIGHTING IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DEEP FREEZER UNIT AND THE FLOOR AND WALL AREA UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND POSSBLE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2609936 DATED 01/02/2025 VIOLATION # 47 4-501.2 CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHEN WORN OR WITH DEEP CUTS. WITH A CORRECT BY DATE OF 4/2/2025 STILL NOT CORRECTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHEN WORN OR WITH DEEP CUTS
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM WASTE RECEPTACLE IN NEED OF COVER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN BASEMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND FLOORS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING BETWEEN EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FILTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  5. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • RUBBER GASKETS AT REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • BULK FOOD ITEMS IE.. DRIED RICE, BEAN, SLAT AND SUGAR MUST BE STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH NAME DISPLAYED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND REFRAIN FROM LEAVING OPEN IN BAGS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • WINDOWS THAT ARE OPENED IN NEED OF SCREENS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING OR REPLACING WHERE DARK SPOTS AND CUTS ARE LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEANING OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INTERIOR CLEANING OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL WATER, FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • HOOD VENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. License

    6 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED THERMOMETERS MISSING IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET ON PREP COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA, DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA, MISSING OUTLET COVER ALONG WALL LEADING TO BASEMENT, OPENINGS IN WALLS OF EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION NOT OPERABLE IN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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