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MORALES DINNER RESTAURANT

3418 W MONTROSE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MORALES DINNER RESTAURANT has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 6, 2026, recorded 6 infractions.

1 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 6, 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 once on July 6, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 once on July 6, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 6, 2026. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 6, 2026. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IN IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND REAR SIDE DOOR WITH 1/2 INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOORS. MUST MAKE DOORS RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A CLAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT ONTAMINATON.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOMS DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING. MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL .
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS UNDERNEATH REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER AND UNNECESSATY ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT FOOD STORARGE AREA AND THE REAR OUTSIDE OF PREMISES.MUST REMOVE BUCKETS, CRATES, BOXES, AND UNUSED 2-DOOR REFRIGERATORS. MUST REPAIR OR REMOVE FROM PREMSISES TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • NOTED EMPLOYEES AT THE PREP AREA PREPARING FOOD WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED THE BATHROOM DOOR AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.MUST ALSO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUSTY AND DIRTY CEILING VENTS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.
  4. License

    0 infractions

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