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ESPERANZA'S KITCHEN DELIGHTS

2301 S LAKE SHORE DR, CHICAGO, IL 60616 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ESPERANZA'S KITCHEN DELIGHTS has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 29, 2018. The most recent inspection, on June 16, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 12, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 May 23, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 December 12, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 December 12, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 March 15, 2019. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A SMALL LEAK FROM THE FAUCET NECK OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK ON THE LEFT SIDE IN THE DISHWASHING AREA; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK AT FAUCET NECK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LIGHT DUST ON THE CEILING VENT IN THE SERVING AREA UP FRONT; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENT TO REMOVE DUST.
  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP/SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT FOOD PREP/ SERVING AREA IN NEED OF A SPLASH GUARD AT THE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE RUBBER GASKET ON THE MIDDLE DOOR AT THE THREE DOOR COOLER AT THE SERVING LINE IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SPLATTER FROM THE SODA SYRUP BOXES ON THE CEILING ABOVE THE RACK WHERE THE BOXES ARE STORED; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING TO REMOVE SPLATTER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE CEILING TILE ABOVE THE PASTA STEAMER ON THE FRONT SERVING LINE RUSTED; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILE WHERE NEEDED.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • LARGE CAN OPENER ON PREP TABLE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAK AT HANDSINK AT 2ND SERVING LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 20-22 RODENT DROPPINGS UNDER AND ALONG THE FRONT PREP LINE. OBSERVED 4-5 DROPPINGS IN WARMING OVEN ON SERVING LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • LARGE CAN OPENER ON PREP TABLE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAK AT HANDSINK AT 2ND SERVING LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED FACILITY UNABLE TO SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON-SITE TO RESPOND TO VOMIT PROPERLY AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE RODENT ACTIVITY. OBSERVED ABOUT 30 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED UNDER THE HOT HOLDING UNIT MOTOR IN THE RIGHT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA AND ABOUT 20 RODENT DROPPINGS AROUND THE HOT HOLDING UNIT MOTOR LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED FACILITY UNABLE TO SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO LABEL STORAGE CONTAINER WITH FLOUR AND MAINTAIN LOCATED IN THE STORAGE ROOM.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  10. License

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MOP SINK NEEDED MUST INSTALL
  11. License

    0 infractions

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