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EL MEZCAL

1454 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL MEZCAL has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 19, 2010. The most recent inspection, on April 16, 2013, found no infractions.

5 of 9 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: Food temperature control, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

The last 4 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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 16, 2010. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 April 6, 2011. 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 March 19, 2010. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 once on March 19, 2010. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Consultation

    0 infractions

  3. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  4. Suspected Food Poisoning Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Suspected Food Poisoning

    5 infractions

    • 10. SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW
      • In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. FOUND SEWER WASTE WATER ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT BY THE DRAIN PIPE.WATER IS OVER FLOWING FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN INSTRUCTED TO CALL A PLUMBER TO COME HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZED AFFECTED AREAS.CRITICAL CITATION GIVEN 7-38-030
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CLEAN FILTERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT THICK WITH GREASE BUILD-UP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Use dustless cleaning methods. CLEAN THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS SPLASHED ON FOOD DEBRIS ON IT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO DRAIN STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MJST PROVIDE.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. THE LARGE CONTAINERS HOLDING THE FLOUR, DRIED PEPPERS ECT. NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL SAME.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE BUILDUP AND DEFROST AND CLEAN THE REACHIN FREEZERS PREP AREA HAS ICE BUILDUP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS HAS DUST AND DIRT ON THEM.
  7. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION UNITS TO SUPPORT MENU. CRITICAL 7-38-005(A) NO CITATION ISSUED. BUSINESS NOT OPEN AT THIS TIME. INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO PAINT RUSTED CHEST FREEZER INTERIOR AND DEFROST CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR INTERIOR LID AT CHEST FREEZER ON 1ST. FLOOR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOOR THROUGH OUT BASEMENT AND REMOCE STANDING WATER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS FROM BASEMENT, CLEAN YARD NEXT TO REAR EXIT DOOR/REMOVE LARGE AREA OF STANDING WATER,AND REMOVE LARGE POTS THAT ARE UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
  9. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. AT LICENSE RE INSPECTION ALL COOLERS MUST BE CONNECTED AND HAVE AIR TEMPS OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW AND ALL FREEZERS MUST BE 0 DEGREES OR BELOW-NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 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. APPROXIMATELY MICE DROPPINGS NOTED SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS & FREEZERS-MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, REPAIR BOTH REAR(2) & FRONT EXIT DOORS MAKING THEM ALL TIGHT-FITTING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dish washing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health. ATTACH A METAL DRAINBOARD TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST MAKE SURE NO UNAPPROVED SUBSTANCE WAS USED TO SEAL SECTIONS OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ONLY WELDING IS ALLOWED. NEED TO REPLACE METAL SPRAYER WITH A FAUCET THAT EXTENDS INTO ALL 3 SECTIONS OF 3 COMP SINK-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DEFROST DEEP FREEZER WITH EXCCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP IN IT AND ANY OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. REPAIR & REPLACE CURRENT FLOOR SURFACE INSIDE & RIGHT OUTSIDE OF WASHROOM IN DINING AREA(WOMEN'S). SEAL/MAKE LEVEL ALL FLOORING IN DINING ROOM AREA AND RE-PAINT SECTIONS OF SAME WHERE PAINT HAS WORE AWAY. DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT UNDERNEATH & BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT(INCLUDING ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS) ALONG ALL WALL BASES AND IN CORNERS. CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. REMOVE ALL CHIPPING PAINT FROM WALLS & BASEBOARDS, SMOOTH AREAS & RE-PAINT SAME. REMOVE TRACES OF PAINT FROM WALLS IN WASHROOM
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE COMPLETELY UNDERNEATH THE EXHAUST HOOD IN FOOD PREP AREA. PLACE A BARRIER AT MOP SINK IN REAR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT AT 3 COMPARTMENT
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. ELIMINATE CLUTTERED AREAS IN BASEMENT.

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