Conditional

El Castillo

3704 W 55th ST, Chicago, IL 60632

Grocery Store ZIP 60632 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Aug 19, 2026

El Castillo was last inspected on August 19, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 8 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

August 19, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

2 critical5 general1 paperwork
  • CriticalManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago certified foodservice manager on premises. Instructed city of chicago certified foodservice manager must be on premises at all times. Corrected on site city of chicago certified foodservice manager arrived on site at 1:50pm. Priority foundation violation

    Official wording (code 1)

    Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

  • CriticalFood temperature

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed hot holding unit on sales floor at an improper ambient temperature of 126.0f. Instructed all hot holding units must maintan hot tcs foods at 135f and above. Corrected on site held for inspection tag placed on hot holding unit on sales floor. Note: hot holding unit not in use at time of inspection. Priority violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

    Official wording (code 33)

    Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

  • GeneralPests

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed opening at base of left and in middle of front entrance double doors. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.

    Official wording (code 38)

    Insects, rodents, & animals not present

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard or aluminum foil used as shelf and counter liner throughout facility. Observed cardboard or aluminum foil used as shelf or counter liner on sales floor, prep area and in dry storage area. Instructed to remove all cardboard and aluminum foil shelf and counter liners throughout facility, instructed nonfood surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material. Observed crates of milk stored on floor in walk in cooler. Instructed to provide adequate shelving units to elevate all food and nonfood items at least six inches off of floor for ease of cleanability.

    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 brown stain on cutting board on prep table near saw. Instructed to resurface said cutting board if it can no longer be effectively cleaned and saintized or discarded if it is not capable of being resurfaced.

    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 stained or missing ceiling tiles throughout facility. Observed stained ceiling tiles on sales floor, cashier area, prep area and dry storage area. Instructed to replace all stained or missing ceiling tiles throughout facility 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 dust buildup on ceiling vents throughout facility. Observed dust buildup on ceiling vents on sales floor, in cashier area, prep area and dry storage area. Instructed to clean all ceiling vents with dust buildup in facilty 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 city of chicago certified foodservice manager on premises. Instructed city of chicago certified foodservice manager must be on premises at all times. Corrected on site city of chicago certified foodservice manager arrived on site at 1:50pm. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012 citation issued

    Official wording (code 2)

    City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Missing thermometer for hot holding unit (used on weekends). Instd to provide thermometer and maintain

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

      Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

      Inspector’s note: Knives improperly stored inbetween prep table and wall. Instd to store knives properly (ie knife rack, or on clean surface)

      Official wording (code 44)

      Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Toilet room door opening into prep area not self closing. Instd to repair and maintain

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Stained ceiling tiles on site in various areas. Ceiling vents with dust accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain same

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed protective film covering single door freezer in rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to remove film and maintain surface smooth and easily cleanble.

      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 gasket on walk in cooler door to be in disrepair. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  3. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Specialized processes (curing, vacuum-packing, etc.) didn’t follow the approved plan.

      Inspector’s note: Observed unrefrigerated chorizo on display and offered for sale hanging in meat/deal service area. Chorizo at 63.1f and no lab results on site for chorizo to be stored unrefrigerated. Instd to provide lab results for chorizo to store unrefrigerated or maintain chorizo under refrigeration at 41f or below at all times. Chorizo discarded and denatured at this time approx 15lbs. $100 value. Citation issued priority foundation 7-38-005

      Official wording (code 29)

      Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp

    • GeneralFood handling

      No approval obtained for a specialized processing method.

      Inspector’s note: See 29.

      Official wording (code 32)

      Variance obtained for specialized processing methods

    • GeneralFood handling

      In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Knives improperly stored inbetween wall and prep table. Instd to store knives properly

      Official wording (code 43)

      In-use utensils: properly stored

    • 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 shelf of prep tables in meat/deli area. Instd to remove lining so as surface to be smooth, even, and easily cleanable.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  4. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    6 general Show violations
    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed an appx. "1/2-3/4" gap along center of double front door.must make door tight fitting.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed several oversized pots that are to large to submerge into 3- comp sink needs a written procedure on how to properly sanitizing utensils or provide a larger sink or remove pots from premises.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from meat slicer,grinder,prep tables,walk in cooler-fanguard covers.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken door closure on toilet room door that leads to prep area.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken concrete floor in walk in cooler,floor tiles under cooking equipment,stained & missing ceiliing tiles in rear storage area.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Must place cooking equipment completely under ventilation hood.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  5. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Inspector’s note: REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING FISH WITH LABEL STATING KEEP FROZEN IS IN DISPLAY CASE UNDER REFRIGERATION. REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGED FISH that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to its thawing under refrigeration (SUCH AS DISPLAY CASE) OR MAINTAIN FROZEN in package

      Official wording (code 35)

      Approved thawing methods used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Missing ceiling tiles in rear. Instd to replace and maintain

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Maintenance tools improperly stored in rear next to multi use equipment. Instd to store in designated areas

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

More in ZIP 60632

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.