Skip to content
Loading map…

TAMALES EXPRESS

3802 W DIVERSEY AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAMALES EXPRESS has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 18, 2022. The most recent inspection, on April 8, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

2 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 4, 2023. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 April 8, 2026. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED BROKEN THERMOMETERS INSIDE UPRIGHT REFRIGERATION UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTED SHELVING RACKS INSIDE UPRIGHT COCA COLA COOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE TO MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE IN WOMENS TOILETROOM WITHOUT COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS IN REAR PREP AREA AROUND ALL HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FLOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNED OUT BULBS AND MAINTAIN
  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY ON DRYING RACKS.MUST STORE INVERTED.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE/FOOD BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE INTERIOR OF THE REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER COMBO.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION PROVIDED ONSITE FOR THE PROPOSED MENU. PREMISES HAS A 2 DOOR COMMERCIAL BEVERAGE COOLER AND A RESIDENTIAL SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER COMBO UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATION ON THE PREMISES TO ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOODS COLD BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE INTERIOR OF THE REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER COMBO.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website