La Esmeralda
1005 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60651
Grocery Store ZIP 60651 Risk 1 (High)
Pass with Conditions · as of Mar 17, 2026
La Esmeralda was last inspected on March 17, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 9 violations, 2 of them critical.
Latest inspection
March 17, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical6 general1 paperwork-
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.instructed management to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee and maintain as required.priority foundation violation 7-38-010, citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalFood temperature
Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.
Inspector’s note: Observed ready-to-eat, tcs foods held for more than 24 hours (cooked chicken) not date marked to indicate the date in which the food must be consumed or discarded.instructed management to date mark all ready-to-eat, tcs foods held more than 24 hours.management voluntarily discarded approximately 8#'s of food worth $30.00.priority foundation violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
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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 raw wood surfaces in front prep area. Instd to seal/paint all raw wood surfaces so as to be non porous and easily cleanable.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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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 stained cutting boards in the rear prep area.instructed to resurface or replace the cutting boards and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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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 frozen meats stored in plastic grocery bags in the chest freezer. Instructed to use only food grade storage bags or containers and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to install grease trap box/interceptor connected underneath the 3- compartment sink and maintain.
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed food debris and spills on the floors and surfaces throughout the facility. Instructed to detail clean under all shelving units, interior of the rear prep/dishwashing area, around prep tables and all cooking equipment to remove spills, food debris, and dirt buildup. Instructed to detail clean and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean the kitchen exhaust hood system to remove accumulation of excessive grease build-up and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: Observed no food handler certificates provided on the premises.must show proof of training for all food handling employees and maintain.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
Inspection history
3 inspections on record
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Conditional
Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed improper cold holding temperatures of tcs foods on site. Found eggs on a shelf at room temperature at the front entrance door ranging temperatures of 69.6f-71.6f. Approximately 270 eggs (13lbs) at $98 worth of product discarded. Must have cold holding foods at 41.0f or below. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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CriticalFood temperature
Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.
Inspector’s note: Observed no date marking on containers of cooked chicken and containers of open hotdogs in the prep cooler in the rear prep area. Instructed to provide proper date marking with disposition date for foods prepared on site and held over 24 hours in cold holding unit starting from the first day of preparation. Approximately 26lbs at $78 worth of product discarded. Priority foundation 7-38-005, citation issued.
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Observed dry ingredients in the rear food prep area not labeled. Instructed to label seasoning shakers and containers of seasonings with common food name.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed blue wiping cloths stored on the handle of the oven in the rear prep area. Instructed to properly store and maintain
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed the handwashing sink in the room with a slow drain. Instructed to repair and maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager on site during the inspection while open and operating. Instructed a certified food manager must be on site at all times, while open and operating. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012, citation issued
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Conditional
License · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: No vomit and diarrhea cleaning procedure on premises. Instructed manager must provide a vomit and diarrhea cleaning procedure with all necessary items as outlined in policy on premises. Priority foundation 7-38-005.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4 inch gap at front entrance door sweep. Must rodent proof said door.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Washroom handwash bowl missing cold water handle. Must provide.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: No covered trash receptacle in washroom. Must provide.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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More in ZIP 60651
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.