Del Refugio Bakery

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jan 15, 2026 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   2 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Obstructed hand wash sink, found several food carts placed Infront of hand sink preventing access to it, Instructed manager to keep hand wash sink unobstructed for proper hands washing. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).

     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: Additional hand wash sink is needed in main prep kitchen, only one hand wash sink is provided in front small kitchen. Instructed to install.

     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: Found 10 rat droppings in rear food storage room along wall base, Instructed to eliminate rodent's activity, pest control service recommended. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(A).

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Food handlers not wearing hair restraints in main food production area, instructed to wear.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

2. Dec 18, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

3. Dec 17, 2025 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 120 or more rodent droppings on shelving units, front service area, main prep area on prep table sheving near products, behind heavy equipment, basement toilet room and storage areas in between speed racks, inside cabinets. Instructed to clean areas and have pest control company service prior to reinspection. Priority violation #7-38-020(a).

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-602.13 observed the following equipment in need of cleaning, they are as follows... Prep tables, stand in place floor mixers, all bulk storage containers, interior and exterior of refrigeration units, exterior ovens, rolling carts and speed racks throughout, baking pans and bread display cases.instructed to remove built up dried food debris from surfaces, clean and sanitize.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

4. Dec 15, 2025 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   1 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Still finding rodent activity in front serving area, kitchen and basement area. Over 100 droppings observed. Instructed to clean areas and have pest control company service prior to reinspection. Priority violation 7-38-020(a).

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed missing discard dates on gelatin located in front display cooler, instructed to provide and maintain. Labels were attached to items.

     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: Found no lids for bulk storage containers under prep tables; instructed to provide lids for all bulk storage containers.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the following equipment in need of cleaning, they are as follows... Prep tables, stand in place floor mixers, all bulk storage containers, interior and exterior of refrigeration units, exterior ovens, rolling carts and speed racks throughout, baking pans and bread display cases.instructed to remove built up dried food debris from surfaces, clean and sanitize.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed floors throughout facility with excessive buildup of trash, flour, food debris, clothing and other misecellane items. Instructed to remove, clean and santiize to prevent hiding spaces for rodents as well as feeding source. Must maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

5. Dec 9, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   6 critical7 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no written procedure posted or neccesary items outlined in policy available on site for responding to vomit and diarrheal events that can occur in the food establishment. Instructed to provide and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Staff were eating, drinking, or smoking where food is prepared.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers drinking from can coke and opened coffee mugs stored on bakery table where items are prepared. Instructed to provide food employees a covering or lid on beverage to be consumed in designated area away from exposed food, equipment in order to prevent contamination.

     Official wording (code 6)

     Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed handsink located in front prep area without hot running water. Instructed to provide and maintain as required at at least 100f. Priority violation. #7-38-030 (c). Citation issued.

     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: Observed no hand cleanser available at handsink located inside toilet room during time of inspection. Instructed to provide and maintain as required for proper handwashing. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-030 (c). Citation issued

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed rodent infestation on premise during time of inspection .observed approximatley 500 or more small and large rodent droppings in the following areas as follows... Upon entrance of facility in corners under shelving racks containing prepackaged bread, on all piping connected to plumbing fixtures, under prep table in rear prep scattered throughout shelving in between working materials stored on said shelves, along side of rolling carts/speed racks containing ready to eat foods trhoughout prep, on floor in all corners throughout front and rear prep area, scattered on shelves where vegetable oil, rice and other ingredients are stored alongside of all stand in place mixers and heavy equipment,inside toiletroom surrounding toilet, under mopsink and in corners, in rear storage area inside unused equipment, scattered on wood riser storing unopened flour, along floor in employee/storage…

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • CriticalFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed 7 speed racks storing ready to eat breads, assorted pastries stored in front of facility upon entrance without protection from contamination from consumers. Instructed to provide, packaging, display casing or other effective means to prevent possible contamination and maintain.person in charge moved spped racks to behind cashier area inaccesible to public. Priority violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no metal stem thermometer for testing interanl temperatures of tcs foods (milk, eggs, etc). Instructed to provide and maintain on site as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed missing labels on gelatin located in front display cooler, instructed to provide and maintain

     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 2 door cooling unit door handles located in rear storage space of facility in disrepair. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.

     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 the following equipment in need of cleaning, they are as follows... Prep tables, stand in place floor mixers, all bulk storage containers, interior and exterior of refrigeration units, exterior ovens, rolling carts and speed racks throughout, baking pans and bread display cases.instructed to remove built up dried food debris from surfaces, clean and sanitize.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed excessive amounts of cardboard boxes, unused heavy equipment, wood palettes, clothing articles, bakery supplies unorganized stored improperly throughout rear storage space. Instructed to remove all uneccesary items and provide adequate shelving to store items at least 6 inches off floor to prevent pest harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed large holes in floor in rear storage area as well as throughout prep near toiletroom. Instructed to provide smooth and easily cleanable surfaces and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Bserved floors throughout facility with excessive buildup of trash, flour, food debris, clothing and other misecellane items. Instructed to remove, clean and santiize to prevent hiding spaces for rodents as well as feeding source. Must maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers without food handler certifications as required. Instructed to provide and maintain on site for review.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

6. Nov 6, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: 4-204.112(b)noted no thermometers inside the refrigeration unit conspicuously posted to monitor the ambient temperature of equipment. Instructed to equip all refrigeration units with accurate and working thermometers.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

7. Oct 29, 2024 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   2 critical9 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Noted internal temperatures of the following time/temperature control for safety food items inside the food display cooler to be improper: eggs at 57.6 f and cream cheese pie filling at 57.9 f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 50 lbs of products worth $150.00 through denaturing process. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed facility equipment for cold holding in disrepair. Noted two-door refrigerator in the back prep area to be improper at 54.3f. Informed person in charge to repair or replace for proper cold holding of 41 degrees f or below. Unit tagged and held for inspection by the chicago department of public health and may not be used until the cold holding unit is re-inspected by cdph priority violation #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: Noted no thermometers inside the refrigeration unit conspicuously posted to monitor the ambient temperature of equipment. Instructed to equip all refrigeration units with accurate and working thermometers

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no probe thermometer for taking food temperatures. Must provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Found rodent activity on premises. Observed 100 mouse droppings on the corner of the floor in the storage area by the front entrance door and along walls throughout the kitchen and in the employee bathroom. Also noted approx. 15 large and 15-20 small drain-like flies. Instructed to clean all areas and have pest control company service before reinspection next week. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a), citation issued.

     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 no chemical test kit available during inspection. Instructed manager to provide test kit for proper concentration in sanitizing solutions. Priority foundation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed outside dumpster and garbage containers with lids not closed due to trash overflowing. Instructed to correct and maintain to ensure tight-fitting lids. Priority foundation violation #7-38-020(b). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed storage area and enclosure for refuse, recyclables, or returnables littered with unnecessary items (ex. Crates, wooden rack). Instructed to remove and maintain the mentioned areas shall be maintained free of unnecessary items.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found unnecessary items in the outside area behind the rear exit door, under the porch, and throughout the facility. Instructed to remove to prevent rodent harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: The floors and walls around and behind equipment need cleaning; instructed to clean and maintain throughout the kitchen area. Must upgrade housekeeping.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Observed following core citation from the previous inspection from 12/14/23, report #2586916 not corrected: 4-602.13. The following equipment needs cleaning: prep tables, floor mixers, bulk storage containers, refrigeration units, ovens, rolling carts, and baking pans. Priority foundation:7-42-090, citation issued.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

8. Dec 14, 2023 Pass

   License Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 3-302.12 observed bulk storage containers not labeled; instructed to label containers with the name of the product inside of the container.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-602.13 the following equipment needs cleaning: prep tables, floor mixers, bulk storage containers, refrigeration units, ovens, rolling carts and baking pans.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

9. Dec 7, 2023 Fail

   License · Fail

   1 critical8 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: No employee health policy on premises as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

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

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed bulk storage containers not labeled; instructed to label containers with the name of the product inside of the container.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Found one inch gaps at the bottom of the front and rear entrance doors; instructerd to seal openings at both doors to prevent rodent entry.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Found rodent activity on premises. Observed 100 mouse droppings on the bottom of the unused prep table next to the exposed handsink, on the floor in the storage area by the front entrance door and along walls throughout the kitchen. Also found 40 rat droppings in the basement area on the wall ledge and floor. Instructed to clean all areas and have pest control company service prior to reinspection next week. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a), citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: The following equipment needs cleaning: prep tables, floor mixers, bulk storage containers, refrigeration units, ovens, rolling carts and baking pans.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention device at utility sink in washroom; instructed to install a backflow device.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found unnecessary items in outside area behind rear exit door under porch; instructed to remove to prevent rodent harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: The floors and walls around and behind equipment need cleaning; instructed to clean and maintain throughout the kitchen area. Clean all ceiling vents in kitchen and vent fan in washroom to remove dust observed.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the vents in the hooded system above the oven in need of cleaning; instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used