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Lito's Taco and Empanada House

2460 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Lito's Taco and Empanada House has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 15, 2020. The most recent inspection, on December 2, 2024, found no infractions.

2 of 8 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 3, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 4 times on August 1, 2023. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 August 1, 2023. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 August 1, 2023. 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2024. 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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TORN DOOR GASKET.
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TORN DOOR GASKET.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • ADDITIONAL WATER PRESSURE NEEDED AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA IN BASEMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FOOD PREP AREA IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENT ABOVE UTILITY SINK IN REAR OF PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2579898 ON 08/10/23. #55. WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM AND ABOVE THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK MUST BE REPLACED. NOTED SEVERAL HOLES/OPENINGS IN WALLS AND SURROUNDING PIPING THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM. DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. EXCESSIVE DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE ROOM AND BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. #55. ALL UNUSED COOLERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • 4-903.11(A;C)--ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND ORGANIZED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19--- MUST NOT USE FOAM PADDING AS A MEANS OF REPAIR/GUARD FOR DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. RACKS MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • : 6-201.11-- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM AND ABOVE THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK MUST BE REPLACED.----NOTED SEVERAL HOLES/OPENINGS IN WALLS AND SURROUNDING PIPING THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.---DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. EXCESSIVE DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE ROOM AND BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114-- ALL UNUSED COOLERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    16 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. NO VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ANY EMPLOYEE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED THE COOK ON COOKS PREPPING LINE SLICING READY TO EAT TOMATOES WITH HIS BARE HANDS. REVIEWED THERE IS NO BAR HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS AND PROPER FOOD PROTECTION. TOMATOES DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • NOTED ASSORTED TCS FOODS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER HELD AT IMPROPER FOOD TEMPERATURES. COOKED CHICKEN AT 48.4F, COOKED RICE AT 49.2F, BEEF AND RICE MIX AT 48F, COOKED MEAT STUFFED EMPANADAS AT 49.8F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • NOTED THE WALK-IN COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE. COOLER AT 50F WITH FOOD SUCH AS COOKED MEAT EMPANADAS AT 49.8F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED, MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND C.D.P.H. CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES OR ANY REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION INCLUDING A CURRENT SERVICE REPORT FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND ORGANIZED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE FOAM PADDING AS A MEANS OF REPAIR/GUARD FOR DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. RACKS MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A MEANS TO SECURE THE CLOSURE OF THE REAR COOLER.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST TRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MONITOR SANITIZATION LEVELS AT THE CHLORINE CHEMICAL DISH MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • NOTED A FOOD ENCRUSTED TABLE TOP CAN OPENER. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM AND ABOVE THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK MUST BE REPLACED.----NOTED SEVERAL HOLES/OPENINGS IN WALLS AND SURROUNDING PIPING THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM. LARGE HOLE IN THE WALL OF THE BASEMENT STAIRWELL.MUST SEAL ALL.----NOTED EXPANDING SPRAY FOAM USED AS A SEALANT ALONG THE BASEMENT STAIRWELL MUST BE CUT DOWN TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE.----DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. EXCESSIVE DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE ROOM AND BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNUSED COOLERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NOTED REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT-PROOF WITH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF DOOR (ABOUT 1/4 INCH). INSTRUCTED TO SEAL GAPS TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY AT THE TOOL/CHEMICALS ROOM.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION
  8. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT BOTH HAND SINKS ON 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WASTE WATER PIPES IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. THERE IS NO EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY UNDER PIPES. WASTEWATER PIPES MUST BE ENCASED/PROTECTED (PVC PIPING) TO PREVENT DRIP CONTAMINATION TO FOOD RELATED AREAS BENEATH PIPES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL CURRENT EMPLOYEES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

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