Skip to content
Loading map…

LA CATRINA CAFE

1011 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA CATRINA CAFE has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 8, 2013. The most recent inspection, on October 25, 2019, found no infractions.

1 of 6 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 May 21, 2015. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2017. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2015. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded once on May 21, 2015. For example: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on May 21, 2015. For example: ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE THE GRILL AND PROPANE TANKS FROM THE OUTSIDE PATIO AREA.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED ONE POT NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO BE WASHED RINSED AND SANITIZED IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY USE EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE PROPERLY WASHED RINSED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED OLD/UNUSED EQUIPMENT BEING STORED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OR REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE HANDSINK IN ONE WASHROOM; MUST RESTORE HOT RUNNING WATER TO THIS SINK. DURING INSPECTION OWNER ADJUSTED VALVE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTORE HOT RUNNING WATER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 ISSUED.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE GASKETS AT THE TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE PREP AREA ARE IN POOR REPAIR; REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKETS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR ON UNUSED TWO DOOR COOLER BEHIND THE PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM BRICK WALLS.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • THE SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE WASHROOM DOOR IS BROKEN; REPAIR OR REATTACH SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST ORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. (TWO SECTIONS OF BASEMENT; OWNER STATES THAT HE OCCUPIES ONLY ONE SIDE, THE OTHER IS THE LANDLORDS SECTION)
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ONE FOOD HANDLER ON PREMISES HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT; MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING FOODS.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • INSTRUCTED OWNER THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT ARE NOT CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFIED MUST OBTAIN THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR IN DINING AREA HAS BUILD UP GRIME. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • EMPTY BOXES ON BASEMENT FLOOR. MUST REMOVE ALL LITTER FROM BASEMENT FLOOR.
  6. License

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BACKSPLASH IS RAW WOOD, SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SO IT IS EASY TO CLEAN.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website