Pass

Shortys Mexican Grill, Inc.

11529 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Restaurant ZIP 60628 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Apr 16, 2026

Shortys Mexican Grill, Inc. was last inspected on April 16, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 6 violations.

Latest inspection

April 16, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

5 general1 paperwork
  • GeneralFood handling

    Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on the counters and prep tables. Instructed to store wiping cloths in bucket/container of sanitizing solution (sanitizer must be at the required ppm) when not in use. Maintain same.

    Official wording (code 41)

    Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the rear gray/white reach in freezer with a thick build up of ice. Instructed to remove, clean unit 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 mop stored inside of the mop bucket. Instructed to store hanging up for proper air drying. Maintain same.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed floors in the corners and under/around the heavy equipment with dirt and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain floors.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the filters on the ventilation with grease, dirt and dust build up. Instructed to clean and maintain filters.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Required allergen training was missing.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the cfm's on site allergen training certificate has expired. Instructed to obtain and maintain a valid allergen training certificate at all times.

    Official wording (code 58)

    Allergen training as required

Inspection history

6 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Staff touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

      Inspector’s note: 3-301.11(b) observed bare hand contact with ready to eat foods. Observed the manager preparing a torta and taking the torta off the grill touching the top of the torta bread with his bare hands. Instructed to never touch ready to eat foods with bare hand contact and always use tongs, spoons or food grade disposable gloves to handle all ready to eat foods. Manager washed his hands and provided food grade disposable gloves during the inspection. Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-010(b).

      Official wording (code 9)

      No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed

    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: 4-602.11 observed a slight brownish substance in the interior of the ice machine by the ice maker. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

      Inspector’s note: 3-501.17 observed ready to eat foods such as cooked meats and diced tomatoes stored in a refrigeration unit without labels containing a discard date. Instructed to properly label the discard date for all ready to eat foods that are held in a refrigeration unit for more than 24 hours. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: 3-302.12 observed containers of food in the 2 door refrigerator and 2 door prep cooler without labels containing the product name. Instructed to properly label all foods that are out of the original packaging.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Gloves weren’t used properly.

      Inspector’s note: 3-304.15 observed food handlers not using food grade disposable gloves to handle ready to eat foods. Instructed to review when to use food grade disposable gloves (to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods) and when to change gloves with all food handlers.

      Official wording (code 46)

      Gloves used properly

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed dirt debris under dry storage shelves and behind reach in freezers. Instructed to clean.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed damaged gasket on prep cooler door. Instructed manager to repair door gasket and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed toilet in need of cleaning in washroom. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed residue on interior surfaces of ice machine. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed bulk containers not labeled in rear prep area. Instructed manager to label all bulk containers with common name of food.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFood handling

      In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop handle laying on ice inside ice machine. Instructed manager to store ice scoop handle up to prevent contamination.

      Official wording (code 43)

      In-use utensils: properly stored

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no food handler training available. Instructed manager to provide food handler training for all employees.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  4. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    7 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Found wiping cloths not properly stored when not in use. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution (must be at the required ppm) when not in use. Maintain same.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found the interior of the fryers with grease, food and dirt build up. Instructed manager to clean and maintain fryers.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found floors under/around equipment and in the corners with dirt and debris. Instructed manager to clean and maintain floors.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found a bed in a side room in the rear area. Instructed manager sleeping quarters must be separated from areas used for retail food establishment operations by a self-closing door or complete partitioning.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found water stained ceiling tiles in the rear area. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found mops not properly stored when not in use. Instructed manager to store mops hanging up to properly dry. Maintain same.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Found the mechanical ventilation in the toilet room not working. Instructed manager to fix and maintain ventilation.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  5. Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy available. Instructed manager to provide signed documentation of employee responsbility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation 7-38-010

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle in washroom. Instructed manager to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

More in ZIP 60628

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.