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MARGARITA'S MEAT MARKET

2701 E 79TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60649 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

MARGARITA'S MEAT MARKET has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 30, 2017. The most recent inspection, on September 19, 2024, found no infractions.

1 of 5 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, Food source, labelling and allergens and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2020. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2020. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2020. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    14 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE DURING INSPECTION. 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 WHEN COOKED GROUND BEEF PREPARED AND SERVED. A CERITFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IN A VERIFIABLE MANNER EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • : OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING ON PACKAGED READY TO EAT TURKEY SANDWICHES DISPLAYED FOR SALE IN COOLER. REFRIGERATED READY TO EAT FOOD HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH DATE BY WHICH FOOD IS TO BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAIALABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED TURKEY SANDWICHES NOT LABELED WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, NET WEIGHT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED ITEMS DISPLAYED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING IN SALES AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON DISPLAY SHELVES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS AND AROUND PIPE FITTINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN FRONT COUNTER, SALES, AND STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED VENTILATION FAN DETACHED FROM CEILING IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELDS MISSING IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
  3. Canvass

    17 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IN A VERIFIABLE MANNER EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED DRIP TRAY STORED INSIDE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE. HAND WASHING SINK SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING ON PACKAGED READY TO EAT TURKEY SANDWICHES DISPLAYED FOR SALE IN COOLER. REFRIGERATED READY TO EAT FOOD HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH DATE BY WHICH FOOD IS TO BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAIALABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED TURKEY SANDWICHES NOT LABELED WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, NET WEIGHT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED ITEMS DISPLAYED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR IN NORTHWEST CORNER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER, 20 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM, 10 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR AROUND WATER HEATER IN REAR STORAGE, 10 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON CARDBOARD TRAYS ON CHIP DISPLAY RACK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED TWO DEAD MICE ON FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING IN SALES AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON DISPLAY SHELVES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN FURNACE ROOM, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS AND AROUND PIPE FITTINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN FRONT COUNTER, SALES, AND STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED VENTILATION FAN DETACHED FROM CEILING IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELDS MISSING IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE FLOOR IN THE REAR STORAGE ROOM NEEDS PAINTING; AREAS SCRATCHED AND NOT SMOOTH. RECOMMENDED A LIGHTER COLOR (CURRENTLY BLACK) TO BE ABLE TO SEE RODENT ACTIVITY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND NO UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE WATER. MUST INSTALL A UTILITY SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND A BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE.
  5. License

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED SEVENTY OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE SHELVES BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, IN THE BUTCHER AREA UNDER THE DISPLAY CASE, IN THE FURNACE ROOM ON THE FLOOR AND IN THE STORAGE CLOSET IN THE BUTCHER AREA. MUST CLEAN ALL AFFECTED AREAS TO REMOVE DROPPINGS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO DRAIN BOARD FOUND AT THE THREE COMP SINK; MUST INSTALL A DRAIN BOARD AT THE THREE COMP SINK TO DRAIN UTENSILS AFTER WASH RINSE AND SANITIZING.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE FLOOR IN THE REAR STORAGE ROOM NEEDS PAINTING; AREAS SCRATCHED AND NOT SMOOTH. RECOMMENDED A LIGHTER COLOR (CURRENTLY BLACK) TO BE ABLE TO SEE RODENT ACTIVITY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • THE VENTILATION FAN ATTACHED TO THE CEILING IN THE WASHROOM NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST; CLEAN VENTILATION FAN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • FOUND NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR; MUST INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND NO UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE WATER. MUST INSTALL A UTILITY SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND A BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS.

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