Pass

La Penca de Jalisco Corp

3640 W 59th St, Chicago, IL 60629

Restaurant ZIP 60629 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Mar 6, 2026

La Penca de Jalisco Corp was last inspected on March 6, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 3 violations.

Latest inspection

March 6, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

3 general
  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used in rear storage area on shelving. Instructed person in charge to remove all cardboard so surface is 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 shelving in front two door cold hold unit with peeling paint. Instructed person in charge to repair or replace.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed women's restroom door not self closing. Instructed person in charge to install self closing device and maintain.

    Official wording (code 53)

    Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspection history

8 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Missing handwash signage at rear handwash sink. Instd to provide signage and maintain

      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: Plastic lining on bottom of table under flat top grill. Instd to remove lining and maintain surface easily cleanable

      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: Raw wood support beams and other surfaces in rear near handwash sink and 3-compartment sink. Instd to seal all raw wood and maintain so as surfaces to be smooth, evem, and easily cleanable

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.113: maintainence tools improperly stored in rear with single service storage and dry storage. Instd to store in designated area only

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: missing food handler training for food handlers on site. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  3. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    4 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: No handwashing sink in rear area where newly installed 3-compartment sink located. Instd to install handwash sink in same area with hot/cold running water under city pressure. Citation issued 7-38-030(c) priority foundation

      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: No handwash cleanser at handwash sink in prep area. Instd to provide at all times at handwash sink. Cleanser provided during inspection. See above for violation issued 7-38-030(c) priority foundation

      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: No hand drying provision at handwash sink in prep area. Instd to provide at all times. Paper towels were provided at handwash sink during inspection. See above for violation issued 7-38-030(c) priority violation

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood handling

      No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

      Inspector’s note: MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS (EX, EGGS, STEAK) CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED/COOKED TO ORDER WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN (OR MAY CONTAIN) RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS AND ALSO A REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005

      Official wording (code 25)

      Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Maintainence tools improperly stored in rear with single service storage and dry storage. Instd to store in designated area only

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Missing food handler training for food handlers on site. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  4. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no ambient air thermometers inside coolers in rear storage area. Instructed to provide conspicuous and easily readable thermometers inside all refrigerator units to properly monitor the ambient air temperature of equipment.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food storage containers without labels containing the common name of foods. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed various food items stored in grocery bags in the freezer and coolers. Management instructed to use proper food grade storage bags and containers only.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  5. No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

  6. Not Ready

    Complaint · Not Ready

    No violations

  7. Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

More in ZIP 60629

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.