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TAMALITO

7357 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60626 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAMALITO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 24, 2020. The most recent inspection, on August 26, 2022, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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 and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2022. For example: NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

  • 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 November 18, 2021. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2022. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

  • 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 once on August 26, 2022. For example: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

  • 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 once on August 26, 2022. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES.THE EMPLOYEE DICED TOMATOES WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. THE TOMATOES ARE USED FOR TOPPINGS FOR READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS TACOS. INSTRUCTED THE MANAGER THAT EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR GLOVES SO THERE IS NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 1LBS $0.80/LB OF TOMAOTES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010,
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED A CART WITH DIRTY DISHES AND CLEAN DISHES IN THE SAME CART. INSTRUCTED TO SEPARATE CLEAN AND DIRTY DISHES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE ESTABLISHMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS TAKE THE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING COURSE AND PROVIDE RECORDS ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION WAS ISSUED.7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED LARGE POTS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND TO SANITIZE OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT. (LARGE POTS )
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOUND FOODHANDLER WITH NO FOODHANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • FOUND FOLLOWING VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 7-24-20 INSPECTION# 2385314. VIOLATION 58.NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-42-090. MUST PROVIDE.
  4. License

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

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