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LA SERPIENTE EMPLUMADA LLC

5505 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA SERPIENTE EMPLUMADA LLC has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 22, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 6 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, Food source, labelling and allergens and 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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 4, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 once on December 3, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 December 3, 2024. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 once on December 21, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 4, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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. Complaint

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE TALL TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF THE HAND SINK AND THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK NOTED DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----MUST NOT USE TINFOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • NOTED DIRTY STOVE BACKSPLASH. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.-----MISSING FLOOR TILE IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13--OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESS ICE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE BOX CHEST FREEZER IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2587327 ON 12/21/2023. #53. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING MECHANISM FOR THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN. #55. OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA.ALSO OBSERVED DIRT BUILDUP IN ALL CORNERS OF FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN AND IN ALL CORNERS OF THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER CONSPICUOUSLY PLACED IN REACH-IN COOLER IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING MECHANISM FOR THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA ---ALSO OBSERVED DIRT BUILDUP IN ALL CORNERS OF FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN AND IN ALL CORNERS OF THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
  6. License

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE WASHROOM.

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