Yolis Tamales
5002 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60609
Restaurant ZIP 60609 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of May 20, 2026
Yolis Tamales was last inspected on May 20, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 1 violation.
Latest inspection
May 20, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass
1 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Using Foam cups as a scoop for bulk food containers, instructed to use proper scoops.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspection history
14 inspections on record
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored throughout prep area improperly. Instructed to store inside sanitizer bucket in between uses with solution @ at least 50 ppm.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed all plumbing fixtures in need of cleaning in toilet room. Must maintain.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
6 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed rusted storage racks in 3-door freezer. Surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to repair and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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. .
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralRepeat violation
A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 60)
Previous core violation corrected
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed food service sanitation manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: A little cleaning needed to the vents above the cooking equipment; clean vents.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
8 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace damaged splash guard at mop sink.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Must store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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GeneralFood handling
Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.
Inspector’s note: Must invert multi-use utensils on storage shelves.
Official wording (code 44)
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up on exterior of food storage containers,interior of unused cooler,prep tables,oven.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Must provide a back flow device on mop sink.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace damaged floor tiles where needed.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must elevate,remove and or organize articles off of floor and away from walls,on prep tables,storage shelves throughout.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up on floor along wall bases throughout premises.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
6 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Must provide proper storage for wiping cloths in chemical sanitizing solution when not in use.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed food items inside freezers and refrigeration units stored inside grocery bags. Instructed to properly store all food items inside approved food grade containers
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must detail clean/sanitize all cooking surfaces of food spills and food debris. Also clean exterior of heavy cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Must provide covered receptacle in washroom also used by female employees.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Floors around the cooking equipment need cleaning to remove spills and/or debris.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Remove clutter at shelves under counters and prep tables, organize and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to cover foods inside of the reach in freezer.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean the interior of shelving of the refrigerator to remove spills. Also clean the storage shelving to remove debris.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Floors around the cooking equipment need cleaning the remove spill and/or debris.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed excessive dust build up on ceiling ventilation in restroom. Must detail clean and maintain same. Violation corrected during inspection.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Elevate all multi-use pots and corn husks off floor in prep and storage areas.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector’s note: Noted multiuse utensils not properly stored (inverted)after sanitizing. Instructed management how to properly store muti use utensils.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Interior of freezer needs cleaning to remove ice and food build up
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Pass
License · Pass
No violations
More in ZIP 60609
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.