El Senor Tamal

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Nov 21, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed water damage to wall and baseboard behind toilet in rear employee restroom. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed ceiling vent in rear employee restroom covered in dust. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

2. Jul 9, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical4 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signage at hand washing sink in rear prep area and employee washroom. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: Found ready to eat tcs foods in refrigerator not date marked. Instructed the person in charge that all ready to eat tcs foods held for 24 hours must be properly date marked with the date the food will be sold, discarded or consumed. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in rear prep area. Instructed manager to elevate all food six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Noted some use of milk crates for elevation at the kitchen area and dry storage area. Instructed not to use milk crates for elevation to prevent hiding places for pest. Must provide appropriate shelving for storage. All food items must also be stored 6" away from the wall

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tamale pots too large to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink being used at time of inspection. Instructed to either remove all large pots that are too big to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink, install a larger 3 compartment sink that is able to properly wash rinse and sanitize the largest piece of equipment, or provide a written procedure that states how the facility will wash, rinse, and sanitize large equipment

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris around dumpster. Instructed manager to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago food sanitation manager on site while tcs foods are being prepped (such as chicken, pork). Instructed must have a city of chicago food sanitation manager on site at all times when tcs foods are being prepped/served. Instructed must post a valid city of chicago food sanitation manager certification in plain view of customers at all times.priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no allergen training on site at time of inspection. Instructed all employees holding city of chicago foodservice manager certificates must complete allergen training and maintain records thereof on site at all times.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

3. May 18, 2023 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide employee hand washing signage at hand sink in rear prep area.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to install self closing device on toilet room door.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

4. Jun 17, 2022 Conditional

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing sink located in the large prep/storage room where tamales are being prepared (located adjacent to the main kitchen). Instructed management that a handwashing sink must be located inside this room to allow for convenient use by employees who are preparing food. Must install a handwashing sink in said area. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c).

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tamale pots too large to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink being used at time of inspection. Instructed to either remove all large pots that are too big to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink, install a larger 3 compartment sink that is able to properly wash rinse and sanitize the largest piece of equipment, or provide a written procedure that states how the facility will wash, rinse, and sanitize large equipment.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must replace all burned out light bulbs in the front prep area, inside the washroom located near the rear exit door, and inside the side prep/storage room.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

5. Jun 10, 2022 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   3 critical7 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing soap at the dish/prep area handwashing sink. Instructed management that handwashing sinks must be equipped with handwashing soap at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no papertowels at the handwashing sinks located in the dish/prep area and inside the unisex washroom. Instructed management that all handwashing sinks must be equipped with a hand drying provision at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c). Consolidated with above citation.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing sink located in the large prep/storage room where tamales are being prepared (located adjacent to the main kitchen). Instructed management that a handwashing sink must be located inside this room to allow for convenient use by employees who are preparing food. Must install a handwashing sink in said area. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c).

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed bulk food containers on premises without a label (flour, sugar, salt, etc). Instructed to provide the common name on bulk containers to properly identify food item.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Found foam cups being used to scoop the drinks being served at the front counter. Instructed management to use a scoop with a handle, and that the handle must be stored above the top of the food.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tamale pots too large to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink being used at time of inspection. Instructed to either remove all large pots that are too big to be submerged inside the 3 compartment sink, install a larger 3 compartment sink that is able to properly wash rinse and sanitize the largest piece of equipment, or provide a written procedure that states how the facility will wash, rinse, and sanitize large equipment.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide a covered waste receptacle inside each unisex washroom.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found the base coving peeling off the wall inside the unisex washroom located near the exit door. Instructed management to repair.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must replace all burned out light bulbs in the front prep area, inside the washroom located near the rear exit door, and inside the side prep/storage room.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from 7/7/21 report #2522415: violation #38 (6-202.15) observed a 1/2 gap along the bottom of front entrance door. Must provide a tight fitting seal at all outer openings to prevent pest entry. Violation #56 (6-501.14) observed dust build up on ceiling ventilation vents inside unisex employee washroom. Must clean and maintain. Violation #57 (2-102.13) food handlers requirements not met no logs records on site as required. Instructed to provide. Also noted violation not corrected from report#2288930 from 5/16/2019: violation #58 observed the certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Must show proof of allergen training for all certified food managers. Instructed management to correct previous core violations. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

6. Jul 7, 2021 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical5 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on the premises. Management instructed to have a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no clean up procedure or supplies on the premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide both. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a 1/2 gap along the bottom of front entrance door. Must provide a tight fitting seal at all outer openings to prevent pest entry.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on top of tamales prep tables. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a few missing and water damaged ceiling tiles in rear of premises. Must repair/replace and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dust build up on ceiling ventilation vents inside unisex employee washroom. Must clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from report#2288930 from 5/16/2019 #58 observed the certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Must show proof of allergen training for all certified food managers. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Food handlers requirements not met no logs records on site as required. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkFood handling

     The inspection summary report wasn’t posted for the public.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no inspection summary report not displayed and visible to the public.management was given a copy of today's inspection report summary and was instructed to post it in view of all customers. Priority foundation violation 7-42-010 (b). Priority foundation violation

     Official wording (code 61)

     Summary report displayed and visible to the public

7. May 16, 2019 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on the premises. Management instructed to have a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no clean up procedure or supplies on the premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide both. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Remove the dead mouse from the glue trap in the closet in the washroom.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Must store all plastic utensils inverted to prevent contamination by hands.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle in the unisex washroom. Must provide.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Must show proof of allergen training for all certified food managers.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

8. May 12, 2017 Conditional

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Previous serious violation corrected, 7-42-090

     Inspector’s note: Previous serious violation from report #2049872 5/5/17 #18 not corrected.still finding evidence of appx. 25 rodent droppings on floor and ledge under furnance and front door appx."1-2" along bottom and rear interior adjacent door appx."3/4" along bottom.manager sent handy man to the store to purchase door sweeps and droppings are being removed and area cleaned at this time during inspection.(critical 7-42-090)

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN CONCRETE FLOOR AT ENTRY DOOR

9. May 5, 2017 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical8 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of potentially hazardous foods stored inside of 4- thermal coolers on table top such as 22lbs. Cooked assorted variety of tamales red -116.6f,pine apple 117.9f,118.8f.cheese & jalepeno 96.9f,141.2f,123.7f,118.6f,120.1f,strawberry 110.6f,112.7f,ciruela 100.6f.product was discarded by manager.must have hot holding foods at 140.0f or above.appx.22lbs.$220.(critical 7-38-005a)

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of 1- live roach crawling on floor under 1- door reach in cooler .appx.75 or more rodent droppings on floor under chemical storage shelf,on floor and ledge of hot water tank/furnance room and a dead mouse on glue board.also ,front door has a gap appx."1-2" along bottom and rear interior adjacent door appx "3/4" along bottom.must remove droppings & dead mouse,clean and sanitize areas.rodent proof doors.recommended to have a pest control operator to service premises on or after 5/5/17.(serious 7-38-020)

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

     Inspector’s note: Previous minor violation from report#1975772 11/21/16 not corrected #45-idph food handlers requirements not met for employees.must enroll and maintain.(serious 7-42-090)

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Must eliminate grocery store bags used for food storage and provide food grade.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken concrete floor at entry door.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace hole in lower wall in furnance room,loose wall panel next to cooking equipment.must clean filters at hood and dirt from wall vent near rear door.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

     Inspector’s note: Must provide shatter proof bulb in prep area.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Must provide sink stoppers for 3- comp sink.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

     Inspector’s note: Must provide probe thermometer for food temps.

10. Nov 21, 2016 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed the front hot holding units not clean, instructed to clean and sanitize. Also clean freezer.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Observed water damaged ceiling tiles in the rear restroom, instructed to replace.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food handler requirements met

      Inspector’s note: Observed non compliance with food handler requirments at this time, instructed to provide. Given copy of idph's food handler requirements at this time.

11. Jun 7, 2016 Pass

    License · Pass

    2 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Observed the floor not clean in the heater room, instructed to clean.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Observed the light shields not clean rear prep, instructed to clean.

12. Jun 3, 2016 No Entry

    License · No Entry

    No violations