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LITO'S EMPANADAS, INC.

2566 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LITO'S EMPANADAS, INC. has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 20, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 22, 2014, found no 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: Pests, Food temperature control and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 12, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 January 14, 2013. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 January 14, 2013. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 January 14, 2013. 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 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 12, 2014. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT/INSECTS PROOFED WITH OVER 1/4 OF AN INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-020. INTSRUCTED TO RODENT/INSECTS PROOF THE DOORS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • RIPPED OFF RUBBER GASKET ALONG THE DOOR OF THE TWO REACH IN COOLER. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. ALL STOCKS BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER MUST BE ELEVATED 6"OFF THE FLOOR.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • RUSTY STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE PREP 2-DOOR COOLER. MUST REPLACE OR REPAINT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT SHIELD MISSING AT EMPANADA REFRIGERATOR IN PREP AREA MUST INSTALL.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • ADDITIONAL WATER PRESSURE IS NEEDED AT FRONT EXPOSED HAND WASHSINK. MUST PROVIDE ALSO NOTED SAME SINK WITH A BROKEN HANDLE. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS COOKED SHREDDED CHICKEN IN A LARGE METAL BOWL COVERED WITH PLASTIC WRAP IN A TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT 73.5F. EMPLOYEE STATES FOOD WAS PREPARED IN THE MORNING. REVIEWED PROPER METHOD OF COOLING COOKED FOODS. CHICKEN DISCARDED. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A).
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING INSPECTION WHILE FOODS BEING HELD, PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • ALL PREPARED FOODS IN COOLERS MUST BE LABELED AND DATED. BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED STYROFOAM PLATES PREVIOUSLY USED FOR RAW EMPANADA'S FOUND STORED ON STORAGE SHELVING IN FOOD PREP AREA TO BE USED AGAIN. INSTRUCTED TO USE WASHABLE FOOD CONTACT DISHES OR DISCARD DISPOSABLE STYROFOAM AFTER EACH USE. EMPLOYEE DISCARDED DURING INSPECTION.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • EXCESSIVE GREASE DRIPPING INSIDE EXHAUST HOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD PREP AREA MUST WEAR HAT/HAIR RESTRAINT.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS.
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.CLEAN DUST BUILD UP ON HOOD AND PIPE UNDER THE HOOD.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.SWEEP DEBRIS OF THE FLOOR IN FURNACE AREA,ALSO ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED(6" OFF THE FLOOR).
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT IN REAR PREP AREA.

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