Pass

La Malinche

2110 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

Restaurant ZIP 60608 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Oct 5, 2026

La Malinche was last inspected on October 5, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.

Latest inspection

October 5, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection

Pass

Result: Pass

4 general
  • GeneralFood temperature

    Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

    Inspector’s note: 4-204.112(b): observed no ambient air thermometer stored inside a prep cooler and a refrigerator near the entrance of prep area. Instructed to provide and maintain.

    Official wording (code 36)

    Thermometers provided & accurate

  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: 3-302.12: observed bulk dry ingredient container not labeled on shelf under prep table. Instructed to provide and maintain.

    Official wording (code 37)

    Food properly labeled; original container

  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: 3-307.11: observed a plastic cup stored inside the flour container. Instructed to use utensils with handles to transfer dry food items.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(b): observed the interior of the microwave in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspection history

10 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical5 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

      Inspector’s note: Observed employees not washing hands after contaminating hands. Observed food handlers doing the following without washing their hands afterwards: came from outside into the prep area and started handling beverage utensils to set up the coffee machine, kill a fly, picked up the fly with a napkin, and put on a hair net. Instructed employees to wash their hands after changing tasks. Employees were instructed to wash their hands at the time of the inspection. Priority violation 7-38-010, citation issued

      Official wording (code 8)

      Hands clean & properly washed

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper cold holding temperatures for tcs foods stored inside a refrigerator (51.2f). Found: portions of salmon in aluminum foil, chorizo (48.6f), soy milk (52.0f), about 4 gallons of reduced fat milk (50.2f-52.5f), soy milk (52.0), pork cooked the night before the day of inspection (69.4f), whipped cream (48.1f), and heavy whipping cream (48.0f). Instructed all cold holding foods must reach and maintain 41f or below. Approximately 23 lbs at $115 worth of product discarded. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of refrigerators at 45.8f and 53.2f. Must have cold holding units at 41.0f or below. Please read comments for tag removal procedure. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no ambient air thermometer stored inside a prep cooler and a refrigerator near the entrance of prep area. Instructed to provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed bulk dry ingredient container not labeled on shelf under prep table. Instructed to provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed a plastic cup stored inside the flour container. Instructed to use utensils with handles to transfer dry food items.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the microwave in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  2. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: 6-301.14 observed no hand washing sign in the north toilet room. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.111 observed evidence of pest activity on site. Observed about 15 rodent droppings under the table with the flat top grill and panini press. Instructed to eliminate pest activity, clean and sanitize affected areas, and recommended contacting pest control for a service. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-020(a).

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed food handlers in the food prep area without adequate hair restraints, such as a cap or a hair net. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Gloves weren’t used properly.

      Inspector’s note: 3-304.15 observed food handlers not knowing when to change gloves. Instructed to re-visit proper glove use with all food handlers.

      Official wording (code 46)

      Gloves used properly

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine in the food prep area. Instructed to locate or provide.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.114 observed clutter in the basement. Instructed to remove unnecessary clutter and organize.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: 8-304.11(a) observed most recent inspection report summary not posted for the public's view. Instructed always to post the most recent inspection report summary for the public's view at all times. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-42-010(b).

      Official wording (code 61)

      Summary report displayed and visible to the public

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed food handlers not wearing proper hair restraints. Instructed to wear proper hair restraints at all times while in the food prep area.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed a slow-draining hand-washing sink in the food prep area. Instructed to repair.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed minor dirt and food debris along the wall by the cooking equipment and under the reach in cooler. Instructed to clean.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 6-304.11 observed no mechanical ventilation on site for the cooking equipment such as a small flat top grill, a crepe flat top grill and a panini press. Instructed to provide mechanical ventilation for all cooking equipment.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  4. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Found no covered garbage receptacle in unisex toilet room. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Found continued non- compliance from inspection report #2567530 conducted on november 5, 2022. The following previous core violations were not corrected: 2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirements. 2-102.13 observed the city of chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirements. Instructed manager to comply.priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

  5. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed the city of chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

      Inspector’s note: 3-603.11 observed no consumer advisory posted nor a consumer advisory disclosure or reminder on the menu for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw (eggs). Instructed to post a consumer advisory and add a consumer advisory disclosure and reminder on the menu. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 25)

      Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed the city of chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  7. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard at the hand washing sink located in the front food service area near the coffee grinder station. Instructed to provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow device at the one compartment sink in the front food service area and at the mop sink in the rear food prep area. Instructed to obtain for both.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed a build up of dirt under three compartment sink and counters and prep tables in the front food service area. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the outside walk way that leads to the garbage area with a heavy accumulation of weeds and shrubbage. Instructed to clear and maintain an easy access to the rear garbage area and prevent possible harboring of pest and insects.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no allergen certificate on site. Instructed to obtain along with the city of chicago certified food service managers certificate and provide on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  8. Conditional

    License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical2 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) observed no employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

      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: 2-501.11 observed no written procedure nor adequate supplies on site to respond to vomit and diarrhea events that can potentially occur inside of the facility. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 observed a hose inside of the air gap for the coffee machine. Instructed to provide a backflow prevention device or proper air gap (no less than one inch).

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the toilet room. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 food handlers certificates not provided. Instructed to meet requirement for food handlers.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed no allergen training certificate for the city of chicago food service sanitation manager. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  9. Fail

    License · Fail

    3 critical2 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) observed no employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

      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: 2-501.11 observed no written procedure nor adequate supplies on site to respond to vomit and diarrhea events that can potentially occur inside of the facility. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: 3-306.11 observed panini press, prep table and refrigerator in a non protected area of the facility. Instructed to either place said equipment behind the food prep area or provide protection. Priority violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 observed a hose inside of the air gap for the coffee machine. Instructed to provide a backflow prevention device or proper air gap (no less than one inch).

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the toilet room. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 food handlers certificates not provided. Instructed to meet requirement for food handlers.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed no allergen training certificate for the city of chicago food service sanitation manager. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60608

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.