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THIMI'S EMPANADAS

1247 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THIMI'S EMPANADAS has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 13, 2023. The most recent inspection, on April 9, 2025, recorded 5 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, Pests 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 9, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 26, 2024. 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 once on August 26, 2024. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 9, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 9, 2025. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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

    5 infractions

    • 24. TIME AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONTROL; PROCEDURES & RECORDS
      • 3-501.19 OBSERVED FACILITY USING TIME AS A TEMPERATURE CONTROL WITHOUT ADEQUATE LOGS. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOGS WITH THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT, THE INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF THE PRODUCT, THE TIME THE PRODUCT WAS REMOVED FROM THE OVEN, AND THE TIME THE PRODUCT MUST BE DISCARDED. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED SAID TCS FOODS DURING THE INSPECTION. 100LBS OF EMPANADAS AT INADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 64F-73F, DISCARDED, VALUED AT $350. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11 OBSERVED THE MANAGER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT A HAIR NET/RESTRAINT SUCH AS A CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 OBSERVED THE COLD-WATER KNOB UNABLE TO TURN ON PROPERLY AT THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT AND ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY CLUTTER, ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED A MALE FOOD HANDLER (NEW HIRE) WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 60.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD-FOR-INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, FAX OR EMAIL TO CDPH.MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED ILLINOIS EXTERMINATOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE INSECT AND VERMIN SERVICES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. A LOG BOOK SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY’S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC (IDPH) HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
  4. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A VERIFIABLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD TO THE PIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE OR CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A 3 INCH GAP UNDER SIDE DOOR LEADING TO OUTSIDE. SIDE DOOR LOCATED NEXT TO STAIRS LEADING INTO BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE CLOSED TIGHT FITTING DOORS AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PEST ENTERANCE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED, SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND A HOLE AND CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND LIGHT SHIELD IN BASEMENT MISSING. MUST PROVIDE.

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