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MANOLOS TAMALES 4

6641 S CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MANOLOS TAMALES 4 has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 21, 2020. The most recent inspection, on August 26, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

None of the 9 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 8, 2025. For example: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 February 3, 2023. 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 once on September 30, 2021. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 18 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on October 8, 2025. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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

    4 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MICROWAVE IN NEED OF DETAILED CLEANING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TWO DOOR COOLER IN REAR WITH DAMAGE GASKET REPAIRED WITH TAPE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE GASKET AND MAINTAIN SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BOTTOM INTERIORS OF TWO DOOR COOLERS WITH FOOD SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM WITH BUILD UP OF GREASE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED TAMALES IN POT SITTING ON MILK CRATES AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF 120.2F. INSTRUCTED PIC TO DISCARD AND DENATURE. APPROXIMATELY 20LBS AND $121 VALUE . PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED CHICKEN AND PORK IMPROPERLY THAWING ON PREP TABLE. INFORMED PIC OF PROPER THAWING METHODS . MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN CORNERS OF DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS NOT IN USE AND ORGANIZE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
  3. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PERSON ON SITE WITH SANITATION MANAGER TRAINING.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITIATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT VALID CERTIFICATE AS WELL AS CERTIFIED MANAGER IS REQUIRED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS(CHICKEN, BEANS) ARE BEING SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 2 LBS OF CHICKEN IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 54.7F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL COLD-HELD FOODS MUST BE AT 42F OR BELOW. THE PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED 2LBS OF FOOD AT $20. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED LOOSE GASKET ON TWO-DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND RESIDUE UNDER DRY STORAGE CLOSET SHELVES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED BUILD OF DEBRIS IN COOLERS LOCATED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH FOODSERVICE SANITATION MANAGER TRAINING.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS. (PORK, CHICKEN, BEEF ETC). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE IN BIN BELOW. (ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO COVER BOTTOM OF 2-DOOR REACH IN FREEZER AND CHEST FREEZER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN THE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD OF DEBRIS IN COOLERS LOCATED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD (TAMALES 133F, BEANS 163.6F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN HOME DEPOT BUCKETS INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD IN FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS INSIDE REACH-IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES AND DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENTS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED TWO MALE EMPLOYEES AND TWO FEMALE EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  7. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE NOR CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS. PORK, CHICKEN, BEEF ETC.INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON SITE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES HEAVILY SOILED. INSTD TO SEAL/PAINT SHELVES SO AS TO BE NON POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER ON SITE, 88.0F-89.0 AT ALL SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE 100-120F AT HANDWASH SINKS AND MINIMUM OF 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C)
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • SEE 60.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 9/30/21 REPORT 2532134 NOT CORRECTED 2-102.13: ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE CITY OF SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
  8. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO ONE ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS. PORK, CHICKEN, BEEF ETC... INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON SITE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FOR ALL EMPLOYEES PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL LARGE BULK CONTAINERS IN NEED OF PROPER LABELING TO IDENTIFY PRODUCTS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE CITY OF SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SEE VIOLATION #60
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • THE FOLLOWING CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM AUGUST 21, 2020 REPORT #2386365 #57 NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFCATION

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