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LOS AZARES MEXICAN GRILL LLC

7148 N HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60631 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LOS AZARES MEXICAN GRILL LLC has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 31, 2020. The most recent inspection, on July 21, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 9 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, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 November 19, 2024. For example: NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

  • 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 once on February 5, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 once on July 31, 2020. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 7 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2023. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 5, 2024. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOOD INCLUDING SHREADED LETTUCE AND WRAPPING TORTILLAS INTO BURRITOS WITH BARE HANDS. EMPLOYEE WAS DIRECTED TO DISCARD FOOD WASH HANDS AND PUT ON GLOVES. EMPLOYEES WERE INSTRUCTED THERE IS NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010
  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 2 PAST REPORTS. FROM INSPECTION #25789955 DATED 7/25/2023: #58 "FOUND SANITATION MANAGERS WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE." FROM INSPECTION #2589153 DATED 2/5/2024: #47 "NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNITS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AND DISHWASHING/FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE." #53 "NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • NOTED SOUP BOWL WITH NO HANDLE USED FOR SCOOPING SERVING FOOD (RICE) AT THE HOT HOLDING LINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TONGS, SERVING SPOONS, OR LADLE FOR SCOOPING FOOD.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNITS STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH NO STOPPERS (ONLY ONE STOPPER FOR 3 SINKS). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MISSING STOPPERS
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNITS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AND DISHWASHING/FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • NOTED THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 RULE #PA-100-0367 FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2578995 DATED 7/25/2023 NOT CORRECTED. NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED
  6. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL PROCEDURE WITH SPILL KIT.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR NETS.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOODHANDLER WITH NO FOODHANDLER TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND SANITATION MANAGERS WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF DOORS UNCLEAN LEADING TO FOOD PREP AREA, CLOSET AND BATHROOM. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DOORS.
  8. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN, PORK ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT KILLS NOROVIRUS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE KNIFE RACK FOR PROPER KNIFE STORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION ABOVE FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER (S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  9. License

    4 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH DRIED FOOD AND GREASE ACCUMULATION IN PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE MUST BE COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER/LID.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES ON WALL IN FRONT AND IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND/OR REPAINT WALL AROUND PREP AREA AND WALL AROUND DINING AREA.

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