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ME-GA CARNITAS

6336 S PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60629 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ME-GA CARNITAS has been inspected 13 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 10, 2018. The most recent inspection, on April 30, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 13 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, 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.

  • 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 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 23, 2026. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 25, 2025. 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2024. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 13, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

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.

13 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED GASKETS ON WALK IN COOLER AND DELI PREP COOLER ON HOT LINE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENT INSIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH DUST BUILD UP OVER CONTAINERS OF FOOD ON SHELVING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BUILD UP OF PINK AND WHITE MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE (USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN, DISPOSING OF ALL ICE IN BIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED GASKETS ON WALK IN COOLER AND DELI PREP COOLER ON HOT LINE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENT INSIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH DUST BUILD UP OVER CONTAINERS OF FOOD ON SHELVING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • FOOD STORAGE ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTD TO STORE INVERTED (HANDLE UP) AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • IMPROPER STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, USING PLASTIC WRAP. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF ICE MACHINE WITH LIME/CALCIUM ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • RE-USING BLACK GRATED CRATES (ORIGNALLY TO RECEIVE CILANTRO) TO STORE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FOODS. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • WALK IN COOLER DOOR FRAME IN DISREPAIR, TORN AND TAPED. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME AND MAINTAIN
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MISSING THERMOMETER AT FRONT HOT HOLDING UNIT, AND REAR PREP COOLER. INSTD TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT AND MAINTAIN
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED SMALL CUPS STORED IN DRY STORAGE BINS AND BEING USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS. INSTD TO USE PROPER DISPENSING UTENSILS (WITH HANDLES) AND STORE PROPERLY; HANDLES ABOVE FOOD.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MULTI USE UTENSILS DURING STORAGE NOT INVERTED. INSTD TO STORE INVERTED (HANDLE UP)
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MAINTENANCE TOOLS IMPROPERLY STORED WITH FOOD STORAGE IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO STORE MAINTENANCE TOOLS IN DESIGNATED AREA AND MAINTAIN
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MISSING BACKFLOR PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • SMALL LEAK AT PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. FRONT HANDWASH SINK SLOW DRAINING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME
  7. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE.
  8. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY OR DISCLOSURE ON MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS NOT LABELED IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • THERMOMETER NEEDED IN REACH IN COOLER AND IN HOT HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • SPONGES MUST BE KEEP IN GOOD REPAIR IF IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN NEW SPONGE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  10. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • USING BLACK MILK TYPE CRATES TO STORE FOOD. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • SMALLE LEAK AT PIPE UNDER FRONT HANDWASH SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
  11. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON THE MENU AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED SLICED PACKAGED CHEESECAKES DISPLAYED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO LABELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL WITH NAME, INGREDIENTS, NET WEIGHT, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON SHELVING UNIT IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2200968 ON 8-15-18:58-OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
  12. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(A) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE STATMENT ON THE MENU AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
  13. License

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD DISPENSING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(c). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON THE MENU AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED LARGE MULTI USED EQUIPMENT(POTS USED FOR COOKING CARNITAS) WITHOUT WRITTEN AND APPROVED PROCEDURES, FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. OR USE EQUIPMENT ABLE TO COMPLETELY SUBMERGE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. NEED LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK/OR SMALLER PANS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-37-030(c). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN FRONT SEATING AREA, AND DUSTY CEILING VENT IN SAME AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. CORE VIOLATION.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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