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El Patron II

3233-3237 W Cermak RD, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

El Patron II has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 15, 2019. The most recent inspection, on October 28, 2024, found no infractions.

3 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Pests.

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

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on February 2, 2023. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 February 2, 2023. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 January 26, 2023. 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 July 14, 2020. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 January 26, 2023. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

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. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF UNISEXTOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  4. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED AND SERVED (SUCH AS BEEF). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED/SERVED. INSTRUCTED MUST POST A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATION IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOOD ITEMS COOKED SPANISH RICE, COOKED BEANS AND COOKED CHICKEN IN CONTAINERS IN THE 3 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR IN COOLER WITHOUT LABELS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE LABELS (NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS) ON ALL FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN. MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK AVAILABLE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. LOGBOOK SHALL BE AVAILABLE UPON INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF UNISEXTOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS IN REAR AND IN CORNER UNDER STORAGE SHELF.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED THE SIDE EXIT DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED AS REQUIRED. MUST COMPLETELY RODENT PROOF DOOR BY SEALING 1/4 GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH SOME GREASE RESIDUE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET FIXTURE AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS/HOLES IN CEILING OVER THE MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS/HOLES AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN LOCATED AT THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK AND IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS LOCATED INSIDE OF THE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MISSING DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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