Skip to content
Loading map…

TONY'S TAMALES, LLC

5706 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TONY'S TAMALES, LLC has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 23, 2023. The most recent inspection, on February 27, 2025, 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: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

  • 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 February 2, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 February 2, 2024. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 January 26, 2024. 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 14 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 2, 2024. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 2, 2024. 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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    12 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 : OBSERVED A GAP IN LEFT CORNER OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • 4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT PREMISES
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 : MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • 4-301.12 : OBSERVED POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE SMALLER POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 6-501.19 : OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR LEADING INTO PREP AREA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.16 : MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM FOR WET MOPS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE AT GREASE TRAP OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 : MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT AROUND HOT WATER TANK AND 1ST FL. FURNACE ROOM.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 4-301.14 : MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-304.11 : OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-304.11 : OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 : OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    17 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TAKING INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF FOODS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A GAP IN LEFT CORNER OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE SMALLER POTS OR PROVIDE A LARGER SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR LEADING INTO PREP AREA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM FOR WET MOPS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE AT GREASE TRAP OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT AROUND HOT WATER TANK AND 1ST FL. FURNACE ROOM.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPLACE MISSING FILTER AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SEE VIOLATION #60.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2570096 1/23/23 NOT CORRECTED #58- 2-102.13 : INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CITATION WILL FOLLOW.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)
  4. License

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CITATION WILL FOLLOW.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website