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EL NOPAL

3648 W 26TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Bakery

Inspection summary

EL NOPAL has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 7, 2017. The most recent inspection, on July 27, 2018, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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 source, labelling and allergens, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

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 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 13, 2018. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 on February 2, 2018. For example: HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

  • 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 on February 2, 2018. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 February 2, 2018. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on February 2, 2018. For example: DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    12 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2144479 2/218.#18 STILL FINDING EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE RAT AND MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT PREMISES.OBSERVED DROPPINGS ON LOWER SHELF OF DOUGH MACHINE,ON FOOD STORAGE SHELVING UNITS IN BETWEEN OPEN BAGS OF (FLOUR,COCOA,ETC),REAR STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO HEATER,ON FLOOR UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVES,IN REAR AREA IN BETWEEN CLUTTER AND LOCKERS,NEAR REAR HAND SINK AND SHOWER STALL AREA,UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS AND ALONG WALLS,ON TOP OF UNUSED DOUGH PRESSOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA.ALSO,APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP IN CENTER OF FRONT DOUBLE DOORS AND REAR DOOR ALONG SIDE.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS ,CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RODENT PROOF THE DOORS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 2/13/18.(CRITICAL 7-42-090)
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANGER ON DUTY AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED AT THIS TIME (CAKES,FLAN,LECHE CAKES,ETC).MUST PROVIDE AND POST AND BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(SERIOUS 7-38-012)
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.MUST LABEL PACKAGED BAKED GOODS FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Inspector Comments: MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVING UNITS AND PAN CARTS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN DOOR TO TOOL STORAGE.MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN HAND SINK AND 1- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE AND ELIMINATE GARBAGE BAGS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS FROM PREP TABLES,UNUSED AND USED REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZER,STORAGE SHELVES AND RACKS,1 & 3- COMP & HAND SINK BASINS,ROLLING CARTS AND RACKS,FLOOR MIXERS,STOVE,FRYER,DOUGH MACHINE,DOUGH PRESSOR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES INCLUDING BASEMENT AND FLOOR DRAINS.MUST REMOVE FOUL STANDING WATER ON BASEMENT FLOOR AND KEEP DRY.MUST GROUT THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF 1- COMP SINK AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER PREP TABLES ALONG WALL AND WHERE NEEDED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES (PREP & STORAGE AREAS),LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP & STORAGE AREAS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES AND WALL ABOVE 3- COMP SINK,DAMAGED WALL NEAR EAST REAR DOOR AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST SEAL GAP BETWEEN WALLS AND FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL STORAGE AREAS.MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA.MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR CRACKED LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AND FOOD STORAGE AREAS,STAINED & MISSING CEILING TILES IN REAR AREA AND WHERE NEEDED.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE IN BASEMENT,SLOW DRAIN AT REAR PREP & FRONT TOILET ROOM HAND SINKS,LEAKY FRONT 1ST FL. TOILET.MUST PLACE STOVE UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK,LIDS ON BASEMENT SUMP PUMPS.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE PREP AREA FOR HAND WASHING WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN STORAGE AREAS,PREP AREAS,REAR AREA,BASEMENT.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • Inspector Comments: IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Complaint

    18 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT DESSERTS.OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER PUTTING READY TO EAT PASTRIES ON A TRAY FROM ANOTHER TRAY WITH BARE HANDS.INSTRUCTED TO USE GLOVES OR UTENSILS FOR HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED.APPX.10LBS.$45.(CRITICAL 7-38-010A)
    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • OBSERVED HAND WASHING FACILITIES NOT MAINTAINED.OBSERVED A MIXING PADDLE,CUTTING BOARD,PLATE INSIDE OF HAND SINK BASIN AND NO HAND DRYING DEVICE AND SOAP AT REAR PREP AREA HAND SINK AND NO SOAP AT FRONT HAND SINK.ARTICLES HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THIS TIME..MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(CRITICAL 7-38-030)
    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • OBSERVED FOODS NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF 3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND FREEZER.OBSERVED A BOWL OF BATTER STORED ON TOP OF ROLLED UP DOUGH ON A SHEET PAN THAT IS TILTED AND A OPEN BUCKET OF CREME FROSTING ON LOWER SHELF BELOW IT,UNCOVERED BAKED SHEET CAKES WITH SPILLED SUGAR ONTO THAT WASTED FROM A CUP STORED ON SHELF ABOVE IT AND A BAG OF OPEN CARROTS STORED ON TOP OF ANOTHER UNCOVERED SHEET CAKE,DOUGH ON BARE SHELF WITH PANS OF UNCOVERED PASTIES STACKED ON TOP INSIDE OF REACH IN FREEZER,A CAN OF W-D 40 ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE NEXT TO A PAN OF LIQUID BUTTER.INSTRUCTED TO COVER ALL OPEN FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN AND KEEP CHEMICAL SEPERATE FROM FOOD.(SERIOUS 7-38-005A)
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE RAT AND MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED TROUGHOUT PREMISES.OBSERVED DROPPINGS ON LOWER SHELF OF DOUGH MACHINE,INSIDE OF CONVEYER MACHINE,ON LOWER WHEEL BASE OF FOOD STORAGE SHELF,ON FLOOR NEXT TO OVEN,ON FOOD STORAGE SHELVING UNITS IN BETWEEN OPEN BAGS OF (FLOUR,COCOA)AND BAGS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN GNAWED ON BY RODENTS,REAR STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO HEATER,ON FLOOR UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVES,IN REAR AREA IN BETWEEN CLUTTER,UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS,UNDER TABLES IN BASEMENT AND ALONG BRICKS AND WALL,ACCESS PANEL IN WALL.ALSO SEVERAL BAGS OF RODENT POISON ON FLOOR BEHIND UNUSED 2- DOOR COOLER IN PREP AREA AND IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA MIDDLE OF FLOOR AND UNDER TABLE.APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP IN CENTER OF FRONT DOUBLE DOORS AND REAR DOOR ALONG SIDE.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS & BAGS OF POISON,CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RODENT PROOF THE DOORS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 2/2/18.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER ON SITE TO DISPOSE OF TRASH.MUST PROVIDE AN OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER WITH TIGHT FITTING LIDS AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANGER ON DUTY AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED AT THIS TIME (CAKES,FLAN,LECHE CAKES,ETC) MUST PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AND BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(SERIOUS 7-38-012)
    • 22. DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR CHECKING SANITIZING SOLUTION AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-38-030)
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY REPORT POSTED TO VIEW AT THIS TIME FOR ALL CUSTOMERS TO VIEW.A NEW SUMMARY WILL BE POSTED.(SERIOUS 7-42-010B)
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.MUST LABEL PACKAGED BAKED GOODS FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVING UNITS AND PAN CARTS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN DOOR TO TOOL STORAGE.MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN HAND SINK AND 1- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE AND ELIMINATE GARBAGE BAGS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS FROM PREP TABLES,UNUSED AND USED REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZER,STORAGE SHELVES AND RACKS,1 & 3- COMP & HAND SINK BASINS,ROLLING CARTS AND RACKS,FLOOR MIXERS,STOVE,FRYER,DOUGH MACHINE,DOUGH PRESSOR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES INCLUDING BASEMENT AND FLOOR DRAINS.MUST REMOVE FOUL STANDING WATER ON BASEMENT FLOOR AND KEEP DRY.MUST GROUT THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF 1- COMP SINK AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER PREP TABLES ALONG WALL AND WHERE NEEDED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES (PREP & STORAGE AREAS),LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP & STORAGE AREAS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES AND WALL ABOVE 3- COMP SINK,DAMAGED WALL NEAR EAST REAR DOOR AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST SEAL GAP BETWEEN WALLS AND FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE ADEQAUTE LIGHTING IN ALL STORAGE AREAS.MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA.MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR CRACKED LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AND FOOD STORAGE AREAS,STAINED & MISSING CEILING TILES IN REAR AREA AND WHERE NEEDED.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE IN BASEMENT,SLOW DRAIN AT REAR PREP & FRONT TOILET ROOM HAND SINKS.MUST PLACE STOVE UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE PREP AREA FOR HAND WASHING WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN STORAGE AREAS,PREP AREAS,REAR AREA,BASEMENT.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS UNDER PREP TABLES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT SHEILD NEEDED IN REAR AREA OF PREP. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

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