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EL GUSTAZO BORICUA LLC

1703 N PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60639 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL GUSTAZO BORICUA LLC has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 25, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 1, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 5, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 5, 2025. 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 2 times on June 13, 2024. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 once on July 1, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 October 29, 2025. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO COLD HOLD UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOORS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN COOKING AREA AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS, LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING. ESPECIALLY UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, SURROUNDING THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114: OBSERVED HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET WITH CLUTTER. ALSO, FOUND BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES AN MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION, WHILE FOOD WAS BEING PREPARED AND HOT/COLD HELD DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES, WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ANY OF THE HANDWASHING SINKS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. EMPLOYEE PROVIDED ROLLS OF PAPER TOWEL AT EACH SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS AND 4 LIVE BIG FLIES ON SITE. RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND ON THE FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: THE FLOOR NEAR THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, UNDER THE COUNTER BEHIND THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA, ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE REAR FOOD PREP TABLE ACROSS FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AND IN THE DINING AREA. FOUND FLIES ON THE WALLS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RAT DROPPINGS, REMOVE BIG FLY ACTIVITY, AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING. ESPECIALLY UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, SURROUNDING THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET, UNDER THE NON-SLIP MATS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOT WATER TANK STORAGE CLOSET WITH CLUTTER. ALSO, FOUND BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES AN MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    13 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY BASKET, UTENSILS, BRUSHES AND CONTAINER 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 HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED PORK, CHICKEN AND HAM, SOUP) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED ITEMS 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.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED 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.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON 2 DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER OIL FILTERING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED MINOR LEAK UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. 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 ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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