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EL MILAGRO

3048 W 26TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

EL MILAGRO has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 5, 2010. The most recent inspection, on December 11, 2025, found no infractions.

5 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 September 7, 2018. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 September 7, 2018. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 September 7, 2018. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 15 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 17, 2021. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED TAPE OVER TORN/DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS IN REACH IN COOLER IN MAIN SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • : 6-201.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED MISSING/DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN MAIN PREP/RETAIL AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MICE ON PREMISES. OBSERVED OVER 75 MICE DROPPINGS ON STAIRWAY LEADING TO SECOND FLOOR AND ON SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TAPE OVER TORN/DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS IN REACH IN COOLER IN MAIN SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING/DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN MAIN PREP/RETAIL AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST DISCONTINUE USING MILK CRATES AS STORAGE RACKS IN PREP AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RACKS FOR FOOD AND EQUIPMENT STORAGE, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND BROKEN DOOR GASKETS ON MULTIPLE COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE COVERED TRASH CANS IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN DUST ACCUMULATION FROM CEILING VENTS IN PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT IN PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14 OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY-FOUNDATION NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 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 NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • 3-501.17 OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING ON CORN STORED INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-204.120 MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY COMPRESSOR LINE IN WALK IN COOLER.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-101.19 MUST CLEAN FOOD AND DUST BUILD UP FROM LOWER CASHIER BOOTHS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN PREP AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 MUST REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILES ON SALES FLOOR AND MISSING UPPER WALL TILE IN PREP AREA
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-202.11 MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS IN PREP AREA
  7. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR IN MASA WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING AND REMOVING OF ALL WATER. MUST BE KEPT CLEAN AND DRY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • AIR VENT ABOVE TORTILLA BOXES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE MASA AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE CEILING IN THE MASA STORAGE HALLWAY PEELING, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND RESEAL.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELDS ABOVE OPEN MASA BINS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE VENTS LOCATED IN THE SELLING FLOOR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED POOR HYGENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANLDER. FEMALE EMPLOYEE EATING MASA (USED HAND TO PICK UP, PLACED IN MOUTH, AND EATING) WHILE PREPARING, HANDLING AND SERVING MASA (OPEN FOOD) TO CUSTOMERS. ALSO SAME EMPLOYEE WITH EXCESSIVE PINK, WATERY EYES, AND RUBBING EYES WHILE HANDLING MASA. EMPLOYEE STATES HAS SINUS INFECTION AND CRYING. INSTD MGR TO HAVE EMPLOYEE REFRAIN FROM WORKING/HANDLING FOOD WHEN ILL. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010A CRITICAL.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • ALL FOUR DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH EXPOSED GARBAGE, LIDS UNABLE TO CLOSE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA AND HAVE LIDS TIGHT FITTING AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STORE HAS SOME WET SEEPAGE FROM THE WALL OPPISITE THE KITCHEN, CLEAN AND REPAIR THE FLOOR.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • THE REAR DOOR ARCH AND METAL SUPPORTS ABOVE THE MASA GRINDER ARE CHIPPING, RESEAL AREAS TO CONTROL PAINT CHIPS AND EASE SANITATION.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE REAR KITCHEN SINK HAS A SMALL LEAK, REPAIR THE LEAK.
  14. Complaint

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 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.MUST CLEAN SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER & VENTILATION VENTS IN LOBBY.
    • 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 DAMAGED & MISSING WALL TILES & WALL BASES,WALL TRIM,HOLE IN WALL IN LOBBY,WORN DOOR SWEEP ON DOUBLE ENTRY DOOR CENTER.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES & WIRES LEADING INTO CEILING.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS & END CAPS ON LIGHTS ABOVE EQUIPMENT.
  16. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 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. MUST CLEAN FLOORS AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT.
    • 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 REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES ON BOTTOM OF EAST WALL, AND REPLACE CEILING PANEL THRU-OUT TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 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 EXPOSED SINK PIPES.

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