EL MEZQUITE GRILL

3121 W CERMAK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

18 inspections

1. CanvassFeb 20, 2026

   2 infractions

   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING UNDER PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
2. CanvassJul 23, 2025

   0 infractions

3. ComplaintOct 23, 2024

   0 infractions

4. CanvassAug 2, 2023

   1 infraction

   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP DISH AREA TO BE WATER STAINED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL AFFECTED CEILING TILES.
5. CanvassAug 15, 2022

   3 infractions

   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE GRILL TO REMOVE FOOD PARTICLES.
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • FOUND NO COVER ON THE WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WASTE RECEPTACLE WITH A COVER FOR PERSONAL SANITARY ITEMS.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • MINIMAL CLEANING NEEDED TO VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE GRILL IN FRONT PREP AREA; CLEAN VENTS.
6. CanvassNov 10, 2020

   1 infraction

   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DRIED BREAD AND FOOD DEBRIS ON AND AROUND SURFACES OF TOASTER AND TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
7. CanvassMay 16, 2019

   2 infractions

   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GREASE DEPOSITS ON THE CREVICE OF THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
8. CanvassAug 14, 2018

   8 infractions

   • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
     • 2-102.14A OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
   • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
     • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN -UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
   • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
     • 3-501.17(C)OBSERVED READY TO EAT FOODS IN REACH IN COOLER NOT DATE MARKED.MUST DATE MARK AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • 4-202.16 MUST REMOVE FOIL AND PAPER TOWELS LINED ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA.MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • 4-601.11 MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FAN BLADES IN DINING AREA,INTERIOR OF OVEN,MICROWAVE.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-201.11 MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • 6-201.13 MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL TILE BEHIND GRILL TABLE IN FRONT PREP AREA AND DAMAGED CEILING TILE NEAR FRONT WINDOW.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • PA 100-0367 OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION . MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
9. CanvassAug 9, 2017

   1 infraction

   • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
     • MULTI USE UTENSILS AT FRONT COUNTER FOR SERVICE MUST BE INVERTED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
10. CanvassJun 29, 2016

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DEFROST THECHEST FREEZERS OF HEAVY ACCUMLICATION OF ICE BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD COVERS THROUGHT PREMISES OF DUST BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA
11. CanvassMay 22, 2015

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA TO REMOVE GREASE. CLEAN CEILING VENT IN REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE DUST.
12. CanvassNov 7, 2014

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (HANDLE UP).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INTERIOR OF COOKING HOOD WITH GREASE/DUST BUILD-UP ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN SAME AND MAINTAIN.
13. CanvassApr 18, 2014

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • STORAGE SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER AND FLAT TOP GRILL ATTACHED GREASE CONTAINER NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. REPAIR SAME. SPLASHGUARD MISSING INBETWEEN PREP SINK AND 3-C.OMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE SAME.
14. CanvassFeb 14, 2013

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • THE OPEN FOODS ARE NOT LABELED AND DATED, LABEL AND DATE ALL OPEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE REAR MOP SINK IS CLUTTERED, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM THE SINK.
15. CanvassMar 14, 2012

    1 infraction

    • 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 EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR BOTTOM CABINET OF FRYER IN FRONT PREP AREA.
16. ComplaintFeb 18, 2011

    6 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.MUST LABLE & DATE COOKED FOODS STORED IN COOLERS.MUST LABLE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS & PREPACKED DESSERTS IN COOLERS FOR SALE.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.MUST INVERT POTS & PANS ON SHELVING UNITS.
    • 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.MUST PROVIDE A BARRIER BETWEEN HOT HOLDING UNIT & SERVICE COUNTER OR REMOVE UNIT,REACH IN COOLERS & FOOD STORED IN DINING AREA NEEDS LOCKS OR MOVE FOOD TO PREP AREA .MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN HANDLE ON TOP SIDE OF PREP COOLER.
    • 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.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP AREA,MISSING WALL TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE 1- COMPARTMENT LEAKY FAUCET.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.CHEST FREEZERS.
17. License Re-InspectionJun 2, 2010

    0 infractions

18. LicenseMay 11, 2010

    2 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. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL A MOP SINK WITH HOT/COLD WATER AND BACK FLOW DEVICE.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dishwashing 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. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL GREASE TRAP UNDER 3PART SINK, AND REPAIR PIPES UNDER SAME SINK.