Skip to content
Loading map…

LA MICHOACANA

3701 W 26th ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA MICHOACANA has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 20, 2022. The most recent inspection, on May 15, 2024, recorded 7 infractions.

2 of 7 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: Food source, labelling and allergens, Food temperature control 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 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 May 15, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 May 15, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 3 times on June 22, 2023. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 June 29, 2023. 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 once on May 3, 2024. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FODO MANAGER ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING (YOGURT, NACHO CHEESE). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CFM ON SITE ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B) OBSERVED COOLING UNITS WITHOUT THERMOMETERS INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL UNITS ON-PREMISE
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 NOTED BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR PREP WITHOUT LABELS FOR INGREDIENTS (SUGAR). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 6-302.11OBSERVED NO TOILET TISSUE AVAILABLE IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED. PERSON IN CHARGE PROVIDED AT THIS TIME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS UNDERNEATH ALL FREEZERS IN FRONT PREP WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AS WELL AS WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.17 OBSERVED MISSING CEILING ATTACHMENTS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 NOTED BROKEN WALL BASE BEHIND ICE MACHINE NEXT TO HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO PREVENT BREEDING SITE FOR PEST.
  2. Complaint

    9 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION WITH A VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOODS (YOGURT, CHOPPED CANTALOUPE, NACHO CHEESE). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ONLY ON-SITE ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS... APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS STRAWBERRY YOGURT 50F, CHUNKED CANTALOUPE @56F, CHOPPED PICO WITH TOMATOES @48.5F, 1 GALLON OF MILK 49F, GALLON OF OPENED MAYO @76F STORED IN REAR PREP DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. THE PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED COOLING UNITS WITHOUT THERMOMETERS INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL UNITS ON-PREMISE
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NOTED BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR PREP WITHOUT LABELS FOR INGREDIENTS (SUGAR). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE UP TO RECORDS OF PEST CONTROL SERVICE PROVIDED ON SITE DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (C). CITATION ISSUED
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIP KIT WAS ON SITE DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOR TESTING SANITIZER STRENGTH AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OB SERVED FLOORS UNDERNEATH ALL FREEZERS IN FRONT PREP WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AS WELL AS WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING CEILING ATTACHMENTS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED BROKEN WALL BASE BEHIND ICE MACHINE NEXT TO HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO PREVENT BREEDING SITE FOR PEST.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PEACANS, ALMONDS AND COCONUTS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND IN STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  4. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY SCOOPERS BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PEACANS, ALMONDS AND COCONUTS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND IN STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE OF UNISEX TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GARBAGE AND LITTER OVERFLOWING UNTO THE GROUND SURROUNDING THE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. License

    1 infraction

    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO INSTALL GREASE TRAP TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
  7. License

    0 infractions

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website