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LA CATRINA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

3123-3127 W 111th ST, CHICAGO, IL 60655 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA CATRINA MEXICAN RESTAURANT has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 3, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 6, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 6, 2026. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 14, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 October 14, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 February 24, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times on October 3, 2024. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • Violation Codes: 4-602.11(B-E) Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OR THE ICE MACHINE IN THE SIDE SERVICE/PREP AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-501.12 Inspector Comments: FLOORS NEED CLEAN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BEHIND THE BAR, IN THE DISH WASHING AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OR THE ICE MACHINE IN THE SIDE SERVICE/PREP AREA.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER IN POOR REPAIR (MISSING LID). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE ACCESSABILE TO FOOD SOUCRE FOR PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-020(B).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEAN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BEHIND THE BAR, IN THE DISH WASHING AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER.
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED MISSING HAND WASHING SIGNAGE IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED TWO HAND WASHING SINKS IN NEED OF A SPLASH GUARD...THE ONE IN THE DISH WASHING AREA DUE TO THE CLEAN UTENSIL SITTING TO THE RIGHT OF THE HAND SINK...THE OTHER ON THE SIDE WHERE THE HOT HOLDING STATION IS LOCATED AS IT SITS TO THE RIGHT OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT UTENSILS AND SERVING DISHES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE HANDLES OF THE TWO DOOR REACH IN COOLING UNIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE CHIPS AND SALSA ARE PREPARED BROKEN WITH VERY SHARP EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT VENTS WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST ON THEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS STORED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON BOTH OF THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH UNITS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED TWO MISSING LIGHTS UNDER BOTH HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR BOTH UNITS.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED FOOD WORKERS ON DUTY WITHOUT THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS. INSTUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE OR ON PERSON.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY SALVADOR CORTEZ WITHOUT THE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INFORMED THAT EVERY CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE.
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND VARIOUS HANDSINKS WITH EITHER NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL HANDWASHING STATIONS TO HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON SITE TO HAVE A PEST SERVICE AND HAVE THE BOOK UPDATED TO CONTAIN ALL INFORMATION. PRIORTIY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED 2 BUCKETS OF DIRTY WET TOWELS. ALL DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS IN NEED OF AIR DRYER TO ELIMATE ALL HAZARDS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALL FOOD IN REACH IN AND WALK IN COOLERS BEING STORED IN SOUR CREAM CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGANIZE ALL COOLERS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAK AT P-TRAP ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA IN NEED OF REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS ON GROUND AND GARBAGE IN CONTAINER WITH LIDS CLOSED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS AT SIDE STORAGE AREA, FRONT BAR AREA AND PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALLFOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • ALL EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE NEEDED BY SANITATION CERTIFICATE HOLDER INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. License

    12 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • ALL HANDSINKS IN PREP AND WASHROOM IN NEED OF SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • ALL HANDSINKS IN PREP AREA AND WASHROOMS IN NEED OF SIGN FOR HANDWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • ALL REFRIGERATION (WALKIN, AND REACH IN COOLERS) MUST BE ON AND AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALK IN COOLER AND HAVE ALL COOLERS ON AND AVAILBLE.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • CONSUMER ADVISORY MUST BE POSTED ON MENU WITH REMINDER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF REPAIR. WALK IN COOLER NOT FUNCTIONING AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PLAN FOR SANITIZER SYSTEM OR PRODUCTS ON SITE
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF COVERED WASTE CAN INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA IS A SHARED SPACE WITH NEIGHBORING TAVERN. ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES MUST BE UP OFF GROUND AND OR REMOVED TO ELIMINATE RODENT HARBORAGE INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN POOR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • ALL EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE NEEDED BY SANITATION CERTIFICATE HOLDER INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

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