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EL MEZCALITO CANTINA & GRILL

5147-5151 S ARCHER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL MEZCALITO CANTINA & GRILL has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 30, 2025. The most recent inspection, on January 15, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 16 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 8, 2026. For example: REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 8, 2026. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 on January 30, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 January 8, 2026. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 15, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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 Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15: OBSERVED LEAKING FROM BOTH PIPES AND DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX ALL LEAKS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-501.14: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUILDUP AND CLEAN FILTERS IN BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  2. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED TO FACILITY AT 10:50AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED TO FACILITY AT 10:50AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED ALL NECESSARY ITEMS NOT ON PREMISES FOR COMPLYING WITH PROCEDURE AVAILABLE ON SITE WHEN EMPLOYEES RESPOND TO VOMITTING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITTING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • OBSERVED SHELLSTOCK TAG FROM NOVEMBER 2025 WITH NO DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED. INSTRUCTED THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED SHALL BE RECORDED ON THE TAG OR LABEL AND OBSERVED CONTAINER OF FRESH OYSTERS IN WALK IN COOLER WITH NO SHELLSTOCK TAG IN CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED SHELLSTOCK TAGS OR LABELS SHALL REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER IN WHICH THE SHELLSTOCK ARE RECEIVED UNTIL THE CONTAINER IS EMPTY. CORRECTED ON SITE CONTAINER OF FRESH OYSTERS VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED BY MANAGEMENT, VALUED AT $110 AND WEIGHING 20LBS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED SOME ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER WITH NO ASTERISK IDENTIFYING THEM AS SUCH. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED DISCLOSURE ON MENU NOT STATING THAT SOME ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW AND UNDERCOOKED. INSTRUCTED TO UPDATE DISCLOSURE ON MENU TO STATE THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF WESTSIDE SIDE EXIT DOOR ON KOLIN STREET. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FROM BOTH FAUCETS, PIPES AND DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED LEAKING FROM FAUCET OF HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO FIX ALL LEAKS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF 44.4F AT RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK MEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. (NOTE: THE LEFT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.)
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUILDUP AND CLEAN FILTERS IN BOTH HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2611388 DATED 01/30/2025 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED. CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD-FREE OR LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.11 OBSERVED NO STOPPERS AT THREE-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS AT ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.13(C) CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O TO ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD-FREE OR LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVAL FROM PREMISES.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • 5-402.12 OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON THREE-COMPARTMENT THE SINK IS LOCATED IN THE BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. License

    8 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASH SINK IN REAR PREP AREA THAT WILL BE USED TO PREPARE BREAKFAST FOODS. COLD HOLD PREP COOLER OBSERVED IN SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE STANDARDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C).
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED RUSTED COMPONENTS ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE COMPONENTS, DISCARD ICE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED AROUND PERIMETER OF BAR BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND IN CORNERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE AREAS, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A).
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CERAMIC/CLAY DRINKING CUPS AND BOWLS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED O ENSURE CUPS ARE LEAD-FREE OR LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED NO STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS AT ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. GREASE TRAP OVERFLOWING ONTO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON THREE COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LARGE GAPS AND CRACKED TILES IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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