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EL QUETZAL

3445 W LAWRENCE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL QUETZAL has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 24, 2020. The most recent inspection, on February 25, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 8 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, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 18, 2024. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2023. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 31, 2021. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 23, 2021. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 once on July 18, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR HANDSINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (CHICKEN WITH MOLE,TAMALES,SALSAS ETC) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT,TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS STORED AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47-52 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOOD IS STORED AT 41 F AND BELOW. 1 MANAGER DISCARDED ( 20 POUNDS TAMALES, 2 POUNDS BEEF, 1 GALLON HOMEMADE SOUP STOCK, 1/4 POUND SHRIMP, 8 POUNDS COOKED VEGETABLES INCLUDING CORN AND POTATOES, AND 1/4 GALLON MILK ($600). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED COOLER WITH INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COOLERS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND TCS FOODS NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE DURING STORAGE INSIDE PREP COOLER (AIR TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F) NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF PORK AT 56.2F, BEANS AND PORK AT 51.7F, BEANS AND CHEESE AT 54.6F, BEEF AT 46.8F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135F. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL WEIGHT 25 LBS, TOTAL VALUE $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR ETC).
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS INSIDE BOILER ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED UNFINISHED DOOR FRAME IN REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND PAINT.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER IN CHARGE WITHOUT APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
  7. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (BEANS AT 175.2F) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN AND SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (SALSA) REFRIGERATED MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT A DATE MARK TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS WITH A DATE NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS WITH THE DAY OF PREPARATION COUNTING AS DAY #1. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MUST INCLUDED THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE FOOD OR THE STATEMENT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED" WITH THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND CUTTING BOARDS INSTEAD OF IN A SANITIZER BUCKET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED THE LARGE ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE IT IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. ALSO OBSERVED A SMALLER ICE SCOOP STORED IN A COOLER CONTAINING ICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE THE ICE SCOOP OUTSIDE OF THE COOLER IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES, THE STOVE AND OUTSIDE OF THE FREEZER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • THE BACK WALL AROUND THE EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST COVER THE SECTION OF THE WALL WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • CLEAN THE DUST AND GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B).
  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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