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GORDITAS SANTIAGO NO. 2

3710 W 55TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

GORDITAS SANTIAGO NO. 2 has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 19, 2017. The most recent inspection, on June 25, 2026, recorded 7 infractions.

1 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 10, 2024. 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 5, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2025. 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 on June 25, 2026. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 once on October 21, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER WITH NO ASTERISK IDENTIFYING IT AS SUCH. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED NO REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENU. INSTRUCTED TO ADD REMINDER STATEMENT TO MENU. CORRECTED ON SITE, ASTERISKS ADDED TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER, DISCLOSURE ADDED TO MENU STATING THAT ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND OBSERVED REMINDER STATEMENT ADDED TO MENU BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA INSTALLED ABOVE SANITIZER COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE AND REINSTALL PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA SO THAT IT SHALL NOT CONTAMINATE FOOD OR EQUIPMENT INSIDE OF SANITIZER COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FROM WET DRIPPING HANDS AFTER HANDWASHING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • SMALL CERAMIC/CLAY PITCHERS USED FOR STORING COFFEE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE SMALL CERAMIC/CLAY PITCHERS ARE LEAD-FREE OR CONTAIN LEAD-SAFE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH ON-SITE OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUST ON SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER, NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED RUST AND PEELING PAINT ON SHELF ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND PEELING PAINT FROM SHELF ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RUST ON MULTIPLE CEILING VENTS IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM CEILING VENTS IN FACILITY AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING CAULK ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING CAULK AND SMOOTHLY RECAULK ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION IN CHEST FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT SINK IN FRONT PREP. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON BOTTOM OF SHELF IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SHELF SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RUST ON SHELVES IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST ON FILTERS IN VENTILATION SYSTEM IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MISSING COMMON NAME OF SMALL SPICE CONTAINERS ON BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA (SALT, ETC). INSTD TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MULTI USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED NOT INVERTED. INSTD TO PROPERLY, INVERTED (HANDLE UP)
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 3-CCOMPARTMENT SINK SPRAYER LEAKING AND WRAPPED WITH PLASTIC. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SEE 60
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 10/21/22 REPORT 2565754 NOT CORRECTED: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-90 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
  5. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED BOTH FEMALE EMPLOYEES HANDLING READY TO EAT TCS FOODS SUCH AS (GORDITAS) WITH BARE HANDS .PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE GLOVES OR UTENILS TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-010)
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PREPACKAGED DESSERTS(FLAN) ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING THAT WAS GIVEN MUST LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR & PARKING LOT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
    • 46. GLOVES USED PROPERLY
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING GLOVES WHILE HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS.GLOVES WHERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE ON FRYER CABINET.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST GROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR HAND SINK.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILE IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS UNDER STORAGE SHELVES IN DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED.Instructed to label with common name.
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE RACKS RUSTY, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST/OR REPLACE STORAGE RACKS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE LIGHT SHIELDS NOT CLEAN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
  8. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written policy. Priority foundation.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy/kit on site. Must provide equipment and written procedure for the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • Observed improper labels on prepped, TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods. Must Include discard date on all prepped, TCS foods. Priority foundation violation.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Observed several food handlers without required hair restraints. Must provide hair restraints (hats, hair nets, etc>) for all food handlers while in prep areas.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Observed raw wood (with excessive dust accumulation) on inside threshold of walk in cooler. Must detail clean and seal/paint to make non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable. Must maintain same.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Observed excessive dust accumulation on interior of ventilation hood in rear prep area. Must detail clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Observed middle light not functioning in the ventilation hood in the rear prep area. Must repair/replace. Must maintain same.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Observed no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago food sanitation managers.
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY COOLER STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  10. License

    0 infractions

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