Skip to content
Loading map…

HUARACHES BUCKTOWN

2009 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HUARACHES BUCKTOWN has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 27, 2023. The most recent inspection, on September 17, 2025, recorded 7 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 September 10, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 10 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2025. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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 Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-307.11: **C** Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP/ STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR/WALLS/CEILING OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17: **C** Toilet Room Receptacles, Covered OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: **C** Floors, Walls, and Ceilings- Cleanability OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR GROUT IN DISH/REAR PREP AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT PREP, DISH/ DRY STORAGE ROOM AND AT ENTERENCE OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: **C** Floors, Walls, and Ceilings- Cleanability OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.16: **C** Wall and Ceiling Coverings and Coatings OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP/ STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT PIC. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLERS TO GET HAIRNETS FROM REAR DRY STORAGE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR FOR WARE WASHING AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A CHLORINE TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF CHLORINE SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR BEFORE RE-INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR/WALLS/CEILING OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR GROUT IN DISH/REAR PREP AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT PREP, DISH/ DRY STORAGE ROOM AND AT ENTERENCE OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
  4. License

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE SIDES AND INTERIOR DOOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ON THE WALL BEHIND THE GRILL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • SEAL THE WALLS AND CORNERS OF THE REAR PREP AREA ESPECIALLY AROUND THE MOP SINK.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website