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PALETERIA AZTECA #2

3119 W CERMAK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PALETERIA AZTECA #2 has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 2, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 18, 2025, found no infractions.

4 of 12 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, Pests and Food temperature control.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 2, 2018. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 July 26, 2018. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 August 18, 2016. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on July 1, 2019. For example: TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

  • 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 1, 2019. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 28. TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
      • PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP IN CHEST FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NON USED/UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT ON SITE. (COFFEE MAKER, BLENDER, JUICER, PANINI MACHINE, ETC). INSTD TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN HAND SINK AND 3- COMP SINK THAT WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
  5. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • MUST MAKE FRONT AND BOTH REAR DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALONG ALL SIDES TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX.75 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AND ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP AREA,DISH WASHING AREA,SALES FLOOR BEHIND CHEST FREEZERS,WALL OUTLETS,UNUSED WALK IN FREEZER.ALSO,SEVERAL BAGS OF RODENT POISON ON FLOOR IN SAME AREAS,INCLUDING BASEMENT.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS.CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 7/26/18.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020A)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN LOWER WALL IN BASEMENT NEAR PUSH CART.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT ,INCLUDING UNUSED WALK IN FREEZER.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPLACE VERY DIM LIGHTING IN 1ST FL. TOILETROOM.
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPLACE MISSING PARTS OF DIPPER WELL FOR PACKED ICE CREAM CASE. MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DISH WASHING PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL A HOOD WITH EXHAUST ABOVE THE COOKING STOVE IN THE REAR OR REMOVE STOVE FROM PREMISES
  7. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • REFRIGERATED PREP COOLER IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE, AIR TEMP RECORDED AT 44.1F. NO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS INSIDE AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION. MUST HAVE UNIT SERVICED, MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING 40 DEGREES OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. 70 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS, IN ALL PREP, STORAGE, DISHWASHING, WASHROOM, AND BASEMENT AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, SEAL UP ANY OPENINGS FOUND IN FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS AND REQUEST SERVICE VISIT FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER ON THE FAN COVERS AND REMOVE ICE BUILD-UP FROM THE INTERIOR OF ALL DISPLAY CASES.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE INTERIOR UPPER PANEL AREA OF THE ICE MACHINE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND ALL OTHER ROOMS THROUGHOUT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REMOVE DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT. REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPLACE MISSING PARTS OF DIPPER WELL FOR PACKED ICE CREAM CASE. MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DISH WASHING PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL A HOOD WITH EXHAUST ABOVE THE COOKING STOVE IN THE REAR OR REMOVE STOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS IN STORAGE AREAS AND PROPERLY ELEVATE ALL ARTICLES 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT. ELIMINATE CLUTTER INSIDE DISCONNECTED WALK-IN COOLER IN REAR(UNABLE TO PROPERLY CLEAN OR INSPECT UNIT. MUST PROPERLY ELEVATE ALL ITEMS INSIDE AND CLEAN FLOOR.
  8. Canvass

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO GREASE INTERCEPTOR LOCATED FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME. NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE LINE. PROVIDE SAME.
  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEAL HOLE IN WALL BY ELEVATOR. SEAL HOLE IN BASEMENT WALL NEAR WASHROOM. REMOVE DUST FROM VENT FANS IN WASHROOMS ON CEILING.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • CLEAN BATHROOM IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED A DIPPER WELL AT HANDPACKED ICECREAM FREEZER WITH SANITIZED WATER INSIDE BUT NO FAUCET FOR A CONSTANT FLOW OF WATER; MUST INSTALL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS FOR REFRIGERATION UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL STORAGE AREAS.
  12. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; CHEST FREEZERS, TABLES, MOP SINK, HAND BOWL, AND 2PART SINK.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT PREMISES, INCLUDING BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES THRU-OUT AND SEAL OPENING ON CEILING AT BACK STORAGE ROOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. ALSO MUST CLEAN SOUTH WALL AT PALETAS STORAGE ROOM.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. MUST PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE FOR 1ST FLOOR WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THRU-OUT PREMISES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

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