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LITTLE MADRID TAPAS-CAFE CHICAGO

5663-5665 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60660 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LITTLE MADRID TAPAS-CAFE CHICAGO has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 27, 2023. The most recent inspection, on June 5, 2025, recorded 8 infractions.

4 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, Protecting food from contamination 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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 5, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 23, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 5, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 5, 2025. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 May 23, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE HAND SINKS WITHOUT HANDWASHING SIGNAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES IN BAR PREP AREA BEHIND BEER COOLER, IN UTILITY ROOM, AND UNDER DRY STORAGE RACK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND SANITZE AFFECTED AREAS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES, SURFACES, AND FIXTURES. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR PAINT TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED DRAINPIPE LEAKING UNDER HAND WASHING SINK IN MAIN PREP AREA ADJACENT TO DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • : 6-202.15--- OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE/EXIT DOUBLE DOORS. OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ON ONE EXTERIOR DOOR AND GAP UNDER ONE INTERIOR DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL DOORS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-307.11-- MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE HAND WASHING SINK.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • 4-903.11(A;C)--- ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE MOP SINK CLOSET MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19---- NOTED PEELING PLASTIC ON THE SIDE OF THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE PEELING PLASTIC.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13---- EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE BOTTOM SHELVING OF THE KITCHEN METAL PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE RUST TO MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15---- SPRAYER ARM AT THE DISH AREA SCRAPER SINK FALLS BELOW THE WATER BASIN LINE OF THE SINK. MUST REPAIR TO HANG ABOVE THE BASIN LINE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11--- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE MOP CLOSET ABOVE THE MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE.-----HOLE IN THE CORNER WALL UNDER THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL.
  5. License

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    15 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE/AVAILABLE THAT IS VERIFIED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK. HOT HANDLE STRIPPED UNABLE TO TURN ON OR OFF HOT WATER. WATER TEMPERATURE NOTED AT 58.3F. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER AT HAND SINK WITH A FUNCTIONAL HANDLE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER FOOD TEMPERATURES IN THE COOKS LINE TALL REACH-IN COOLER SLICED SAUSAGE AT 44.1, REDUCED SAUCE AT 49.3F, DATE STUFFED BACON AT 46.5 AND 47.8F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED SUCH AS EGGS. MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND CUSTOMERS OF SUCH FOOD ON BOTH THE PRINTED AND VIRTUAL MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE/EXIT DOUBLE DOORS. OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ON ONE EXTERIOR DOOR AND GAP UNDER ONE INTERIOR DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL DOORS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE HAND WASHING SINK.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • ALL PRE-SET TABLEWARES MUST BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE MOP SINK CLOSET MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED PEELING PLASTIC ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE METAL THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE BAR AREA AND SIDE OF THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE PEELING PLASTIC.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR THE KITCHEN/DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE BOTTOM SHELVING OF THE KITCHEN METAL PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE RUST TO MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • SPRAYER ARM AT THE DISH AREA SCRAPER SINK FALLS BELOW THE WATER BASIN LINE OF THE SINK. MUST REPAIR TO HANG ABOVE THE BASIN LINE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED SOILED MOPS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE MOP CLOSET. MUST STORE INVERTED IN THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE MOP CLOSET ABOVE THE MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE.----FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND GREASE TRAP WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----HOLE IN THE CORNER WALL UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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