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VACA'S CREAMERY

2324 W GIDDINGS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

VACA'S CREAMERY has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 13, 2023. The most recent inspection, on April 8, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 once on December 8, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 8, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 8, 2025. For example: GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

  • 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 on December 8, 2025. For example: SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

  • 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 once on December 8, 2025. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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

    1 infraction

    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2628151 DATED 12/8/2025 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #58 "ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE." MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  2. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NOTED AN ELECTRICAL INSECT ELIMINATION DEVICE HANGING ABOVE THE REAR PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE/MOVE TO A NON-FOOD CONTACT AREA.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED AN UNWRAPPED/COVERED PREPARED DESSERT IN THE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROTECT PREPARED FOODS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED IN REFRIGERATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS SUCH AS TO GO FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS IN THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • NOTED EXCESSIVE PAPER DEBRIS ON THE GROUNDS OF THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE CORRAL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • UNUSED EQUIPMENT BEING STORED IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM MUST BE REPAIRED AND OPERATIONAL OR REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED A DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. License

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAK FROM TOP OF FAUCET IN FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
  4. License

    0 infractions

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