Skip to content
Loading map…

PALAPITA

4968 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PALAPITA has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 9, 2022. The most recent inspection, on May 17, 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, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 11, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 11, 2023. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 August 21, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 11, 2023. For example: FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

  • 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 31, 2023. 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

    2 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.12: OBSERVED STAINED AND DEEPLY GROOVED LARGE WHITE CUTTING BOARDS ON FRONT AND REAR PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    9 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND POST HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS.
    • 15. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • 3-302.11 (A:3-8) (B): OBSERVED UNWRAPPED RAW BEEF AT BOTTOM OF TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WRAP ALL EXPOSED FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • 3-304.14: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES LAYING ON PREP TABLE IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHES IN SANITIZER SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.12: OBSERVED STAINED AND DEEPLY GROOVED LARGE WHITE CUTTING BOARDS ON FRONT AND REAR PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C): OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE ON EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SURFACES OF HOT HOLDING UNIT AND OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-501.14: OBSERVED GREASY AND DUSTY FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOODS ABOVE STOVE TOP IN REAR AND GRILL IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • 8-404.13(B:4): OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM INSPECTION REPORT # 2555465 DATED 05/09/2022 NOT CORRECTED. VIOLATION #51 5-204.12 FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET. MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED. VIOLATION #58 2-102.13: FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    15 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND POST HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND TOWELS AT HANDWASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND DRYING PROVISIONS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE, HAND TOWELS PROVIDED BY MANAGER FOR BOTH SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED CONSOLIDATED WITH BELOW VIOLATION.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER PROVIDED HANDWASHING SOAP AT DISHWASHING AREA HANDSINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 15. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • OBSERVED UNWRAPPED RAW BEEF AT BOTTOM OF TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WRAP ALL EXPOSED FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND MAINTAIN ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED DURING RECENT INSPECTION ON 8/3/2023. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES LAYING ON PREP TABLE IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHES IN SANITIZER SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED AND DEEPLY GROOVED LARGE WHITE CUTTING BOARDS ON FRONT AND REAR PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE ON EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SURFACES OF HOT HOLDING UNIT AND OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED MISSING FAUCET NECK ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING FAUCET NECK AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION. CORRECTED ON SITE FAUCET NECK ON UTILITY SINK REPLACED PRIOR TO RECENT INSPECTION ON 8/3/2023.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER SUCH AS SHOES, A BIKE, BOXING GLOVES, PAINT CANS AND A PLANT THROUGHOUT REAR OF PREMISES IN KITCHEN PREP, DISHWASHING AREA, AND STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AFFECTED AREAS.CORRECTED ON SITE, OBSERVED CLUTTER REMOVED FROM PREMISES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILE IN FRONT OF EAST SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED GREASY AND DUSTY FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOODS ABOVE STOVE TOP IN REAR AND GRILL IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM INSPECTION REPORT # 2555465 DATED 05/09/2022 NOT CORRECTED. VIOLATION #51 5-204.12 FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET. MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED. VIOLATION #58 2-102.13: FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  5. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO DISINFECTANT FOR VOMIT SPILL KIT.(RATED FOR NOROVIRUS).PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005 MUST PROVIDE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET. MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES AT FRONT AND REAR PREPARTATION AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website