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PALENQUE 2

4316 S PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PALENQUE 2 has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 8, 2021. The most recent inspection, on January 8, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 8 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: Protecting food from contamination, Pests and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 7, 2023. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 7, 2023. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 25, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 25, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 11 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 8, 2024. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE WATER LINE WITH CONNECTION TO THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO INSTALL BACKFLOW DEVICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19: PLASTIC LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES AND SIDES OF EQUIPMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL PLASTIC LINING SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: MISSING OUTLET COVERS FOR OUTLETS IN PREP AND WAREWASHING AREAS. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVERS FOR ALL OPEN OUTLETS
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION FROM 8/7/23 REPORT 2579671 NOT CORRECTED: 25- MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS (AGUACHILES, CEVICHE, EGGS, STEAK) ; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS AND ALSO A REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MISSING REMINDER STATEMENT FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS ARE RAW WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS (AGUACHILES) ; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS AND ALSO A REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OVER 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES NOTED ON WALLS AND FLYING IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A) PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • PLASTIC LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES AND SIDES OF EQUIPMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL PLASTIC LINING SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MISSING OUTLET COVERS FOR OUTLETS IN PREP AND WAREWASHING AREAS. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVERS FOR ALL OPEN OUTLETS
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    8 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE REACH IN FREEZER WORN DOOR GASKETS,BROKEN SHELVING UNIT
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM GRILL TABLES.ICE BUILD UP FROM REACH IN FREEZER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER HOOD
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP AT HOOD AND FILTERS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR NEW FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF 7-LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING INSIDE OF LOOSE WALL BASE AND ON FLOOR NEXT TO HOT WATER TANK,ON WALL BEHIND 2- COMPARTMENT SINK AND ON FLOOR NEXT TO POP COOLER. ALSO. APPX. 12 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND UNDERNEATH 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND DINING AREA.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 8/17/22.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE REACH IN FREEZER WORN DOOR GASKETS,BROKEN SHELVING UNIT .MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM GRILL TABLES.ICE BUILD UP FROM REACH IN FREEZER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPES UNDERNEATH REAR HAND SINK AND 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE WALL BASE NEXT TO HOT WATER TANK.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP AT HOOD AND FILTERS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER HOOD.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR NEW FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • NO SPLASHGUARD AT FRONT HANDSINK NEXT TO TABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • RAW WOOD ON BOTTOM OF STORAGE SHELF. INSTD TO SEAL SO AS TO AN EASILY CLEANABLE, NON POROUS SURFACE
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR 1 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION

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