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LA COCINA DE DON RAMON

4208 N MILWAUKEE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA COCINA DE DON RAMON has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 8, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 8, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 on February 4, 2025. 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 once on February 4, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 8 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS THAWING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ON THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER SUCH AS 30LBS OF RICE AT 60.2F-68.5F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 30LBS AT $50. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS THAWING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ON THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT TRASH MUST BE STORED INSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLES SO THAT THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO INSECTS AND RODENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED FOR USE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE FACILITY: BASEMENT AREA, KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO BOTH HANDWASHING SINKS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HAND SOAP NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT PREP/SERVER AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP TO FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED LIVE NON-SERVICE DOG ON PREMISES IN FRONT CUSTOMER DINING AREA NEXT TO SERVER PREP AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE TO PROHIBIT ALL LIVE NON-SERVICE ANIMALS (OR ANIMALS NOT OTHERWISE APPROVED FOR FOOD SERVICE FACILITIES BY THE DEPARTMENT) FROM ENTERING THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING NON-FOOD AREAS SUCH AS CUSTOMER SEATING AREAS/DINING ROOMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE ESCORTED NON-SERVICE ANIMAL AND OWNER OFF-PREMISES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-40-060 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN COLD-HOLDING UNITS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DURABLE AND RESISTANT TO DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING FIXTURES TO BE IN POOR REPAIR: BASEMENT AREA HANDWASHING SINK FAUCET OBSERVED TO HAVE SMALL LEAK BUT FUNCTIONAL, BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON BASEMENT AREA UTILITY SINK FAUCET IN POOR REPAIR BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LISTED PLUMBING FIXTURES AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.
  4. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO KEEP AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE IS MADE AWARE BY THEIR EMPLOYEES INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS (2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, OVEN, STANDING MIXERS) BEING STORED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED ONE BURNTOUT LIGHTBULB UNDERNEATH THE HOODED VENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE CERTIFIED FOOD CERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL CERITIFED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS RECEIVE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERIFICATE AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  5. License

    0 infractions

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