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YOLIS TAMALES

5002 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

YOLIS TAMALES has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 22, 2016. The most recent inspection, on May 20, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

3 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 14, 2025. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2021. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on June 12, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 15 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on May 14, 2025. 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 8 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 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.

14 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Using Foam cups as a scoop for bulk food containers, instructed to use proper scoops.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZER BUCKET IN BETWEEN USES WITH SOLUTION @ AT LEAST 50 PPM.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN NEED OF CLEANING IN TOILET ROOM. MUST MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, STORAGE AREA AND TOILET ROOM WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN CORNERS AND UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESARY ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT PREP AREA ON TOP OF UNUSED EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLE SHELVING AND STORAGE RACK LOCATED IN FRONT UPON ENTRY INTO PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESARY ITEMS AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO HIDING SPACE FOR PEST.
  4. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (RICE). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN 3-DOOR FREEZER. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILDUP IN THE SMALL FREEZER BY THE BACK EXIT DOOR. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE 3-DOOR FEEZER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. .
    • 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.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.13: **C MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM THE FLOOR ALONG WITH WALL BASES IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • 6-501.114 PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 03/17/2023, INSPECTION #2572766 NOT CORRECTED: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN FRONT KITCHEN PREP AREA AND NEED TO ORGANIZE NON-FUNCTIONING COOLER BEING USED AS STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT VIOLATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN FRONT KITCHEN PREP AREA AND NEED TO ORGANIZE NON-FUNCTIONING COOLER BEING USED AS STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • A LITTLE CLEANING NEEDED TO THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT; CLEAN VENTS.
  7. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED SPLASH GUARD AT MOP SINK.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS,INTERIOR OF UNUSED COOLER,PREP TABLES,OVEN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW DEVICE ON MOP SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES WHERE NEEDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS,ON PREP TABLES,STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
  8. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE FOR WIPING CLOTHS IN CHEMICAL SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL COOKING SURFACES OF FOOD SPILLS AND FOOD DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM ALSO USED BY FEMALE EMPLOYEES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REMOVE CLUTTER AT SHELVES UNDER COUNTERS AND PREP TABLES, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COVER FOODS INSIDE OF THE REACH IN FREEZER.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF SHELVING OF THE REFRIGERATOR TO REMOVE SPILLS. ALSO CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVING TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING THE REMOVE SPILL AND/OR DEBRIS.
  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Observed excessive dust build up on ceiling ventilation in restroom. Must detail clean and maintain same. Violation corrected during inspection.
  12. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELEVATE ALL MULTI-USE POTS AND CORN HUSKS OFF FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • NOTED MULTIUSE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED (INVERTED)AFTER SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT HOW TO PROPERLY STORE MUTI USE UTENSILS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR OF FREEZER NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE ICE AND FOOD BUILD UP
  14. License

    0 infractions

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