Pass

Manolos Tamales

6641 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638

Restaurant ZIP 60638 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Aug 26, 2026

Manolos Tamales was last inspected on August 26, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.

Latest inspection

August 26, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

4 general
  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed microwave in need of detailed cleaning. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 47)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed two door cooler in rear with damage gasket repaired with tape. Instructed person in charge to replace gasket and maintain surface smooth and easily cleanable.

    Official wording (code 47)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed bottom interiors of two door coolers with food spillage. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed filters in hood system with build up of grease. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspection history

9 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed tamales in pot sitting on milk crates at improper hot holding temperatures of 120.2f. Instructed pic to discard and denature. Approximately 20lbs and $121 value . Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 21)

      Proper hot holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Inspector’s note: Observed chicken and pork improperly thawing on prep table. Informed pic of proper thawing methods . Must meet proper thawing requirements and maintain.

      Official wording (code 35)

      Approved thawing methods used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed clutter in corners of dry storage area. Instructed to remove items not in use and organize.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Missing allergen training for city of chicago certified managers. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  2. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: No person on site with sanitation manager training.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 2 lbs of chicken in cooler at improper cold holding temperature of 54.7f. Instructed person in charge that all cold-held foods must be at 42f or below. The person in charge voluntarily discarded and denatured 2lbs of food at $20. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed loose gasket on two-door cooler in rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed build-up of dirt and residue under dry storage closet shelves. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no valid original city of chicago sanitiation certificate on site at the time of inspection. Instructed person in charge that valid certificate as well as certified manager is required on site at all times tcs foods(chicken, beans) are being served. Priority foundation #7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  3. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c) observed build of debris in coolers located in the rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  4. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    2 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge with foodservice sanitation manager training.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed build up of black mold-like substance on interior of ice machine dripping onto ice in bin below. (ice used for human consumption). Instructed person in charge to clean and sanitize machine. Priority foundation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed aluminum foil used to cover bottom of 2-door reach in freezer and chest freezer in rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to remove and maintain the surface smooth and easily cleanable.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed build of debris in coolers located in the rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago sanitation certificate posted while handling tcs foods. (pork, chicken, beef etc). Instructed person in charge on site to obtain and maintain certificate at all times. Priority foundation #7-38-012 citation issued

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  5. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical3 general3 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge with valid chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed manager to designate person in charge during all hours of operation. Priority foundation

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing sign at front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to provide hand washing signs at all hand washing sinks.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored in home depot buckets inside reach-in cooler. Instructed manager to properly store food in food grade bags or containers.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed food debris and spills inside reach-in coolers and freezers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed stained ceiling tiles and dust buildup on ceiling vents in prep and dining areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no chicago food sanitation manager on site or valid certificate posted when tcs food (tamales 133f, beans 163.6f) prepared and served. A chicago food sanitation manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Observed two male employees and two female employees with no food handler training. Instructed manager to provide food handler training for all employees.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no allergen training available. All certified managers must provide allergen training.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical3 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Person in charge with no city of chicago sanitation certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Raw wood storage shelves heavily soiled. Instd to seal/paint shelves so as to be non porous and easily cleanable

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Hot or cold water wasn’t available, or water pressure was too low.

      Inspector’s note: No hot running water on site, 88.0f-89.0 at all sinks. Instd to provide 100-120f at handwash sinks and minimum of 110f at 3-compartment sink at all times. Citation issued 7-38-030(c)

      Official wording (code 50)

      Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Previous core violation from 9/30/21 report 2532134 not corrected 2-102.13: all employees who do not have city of sanitation certificate must have food handler certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain. Citation issued 7-42-090 priority foundation

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified manager on site nor city of chicago sanitation certificate posted while handling tcs foods. Pork, chicken, beef etc.instructed manager on site to obtain and maintain certificate at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: See 60.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  7. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical4 general3 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Person in charge with no city of chicago sanitation certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No employee health policies on site at time of inspection. Instructed to obtain and maintain for all employees priority foundation

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: All large bulk containers in need of proper labeling to identify products. Instructed to correct and maintain.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: All wiping cloths must be stored in a clean sanitizing solution when not in use. Instructed to correct and maintain.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Hood vents in need of cleaning to remove all grease and dust build up. Instructed to 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: The following core violation not corrected from august 21, 2020 report #2386365 #57 no allergen certificate on site. Instructed to obtain and maintain. Priority foundation

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No one on site with city of chicago sanitation certificate while handling tcs foods. Pork, chicken, beef etc... Instructed manager on site to obtain and maintain certificate at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: All employees who do not have city of sanitation certificate must have food handler certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: See violation #60

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  8. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Missing allergen training for city of chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and maintain verifcation

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60638

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 2 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.