Pass

El Mezcalito Cantina & Grill

5147-5151 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Restaurant ZIP 60632 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Jan 15, 2026

El Mezcalito Cantina & Grill was last inspected on January 15, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.

Latest inspection

January 15, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection

Pass

Result: Pass

3 general1 paperwork
  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

    Inspector’s note: 5-205.15: observed leaking from both pipes and drainpipe of three compartment sink. Instructed to fix all leaks at three compartment sink and maintain.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: 5-501.17: observed no covered receptacle in all gender employee washroom. Instructed to provide covered receptacle in all gender employee washroom for sanitary products.

    Official wording (code 53)

    Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: 6-501.14: observed buildup on filters of both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area. Instructed to remove buildup and clean filters in both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area and maintain.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Not all food employees had food-handler training.

    Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: at time of inspection no proof of food handler training provided for any food handlers. Instructed to provide food handler training for all food handlers.

    Official wording (code 57)

    All food employees have food handler training

Inspection history

4 inspections on record

  1. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    4 critical5 general3 paperwork Show violations
    • 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 to facility at 10:50am. Priority foundation violation.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed all necessary items not on premises for complying with procedure available on site when employees respond to vomitting or diarrheal events. Instructed to follow written procedure for employees to follow when responding to vomitting or diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalFood source

      Required records (shellfish tags, parasite-destruction logs) were missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed shellstock tag from november 2025 with no date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served. Instructed the date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served shall be recorded on the tag or label and observed container of fresh oysters in walk in cooler with no shellstock tag in container. Instructed shellstock tags or labels shall remain attached to the container in which the shellstock are received until the container is empty. Corrected on site container of fresh oysters voluntarily denatured and discarded by management, valued at $110 and weighing 20lbs. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

      Official wording (code 14)

      Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

    • CriticalFood handling

      No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

      Inspector’s note: Observed some animal derived foods that can be served raw, undercooked or cooked to order with no asterisk identifying them as such. Instructed to add an asterisk to all animal derived foods that can be served raw, undercooked or cooked to order. Observed disclosure on menu not stating that some asterisked animal derived foods are served raw and undercooked. Instructed to update disclosure on menu to state that asterisked animal derived foods are served raw, undercooked or cooked to order. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 25)

      Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed opening at base of westside side exit door on kolin street. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed leaking from both faucets, pipes and drainpipe of three compartment sink. Observed leaking from faucet of handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area. Instructed to fix all leaks at three compartment sink and rear prep/dishwashing sink and maintain. Observed improper minimum water temperature of 44.4f at right handwashing sink men's washroom. Instructed a handwashing sink shall be equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least 100f through a mixing valve or combination faucet. (note: the left handwashing sink in the men's washroom is functioning properly.)

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles in all gender employee washroom and women's washroom. Instructed to provide covered receptacles in all gender employee washroom and women's washroom for sanitary products.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed buildup on filters of both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area. Instructed to remove buildup and clean filters in both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area and maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violation from inspection report #2611388 dated 01/30/2025 not corrected. Instructed to correct. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued. Ceramic/clay drinking cups and bowls on site. Instructed o ensure cups are lead-free or lead-safe levels and maintain documentation of such on-site or remove from premises.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • 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 to facility at 10:50am. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012 citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: At time of inspection no proof of food handler training provided for any food handlers. Instructed to provide food handler training for all food handlers.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: At time of inspection no allergen awareness training certificate provided for employee with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate. Instructed to provide valid proof of allergen training for all employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  2. Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: 4-501.11 observed no stoppers at three-compartment sinks. Instructed person in charge to provide and maintain sink stoppers at all three compartment sinks.

      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: 4-101.13(c) ceramic/clay drinking cups and bowls on site. Instructed o to ensure cups are lead-free or lead-safe levels and maintain documentation of such on-site or removal from premises.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

      Inspector’s note: 5-402.12 observed no grease trap on three-compartment the sink is located in the bar. Instructed person in charge to provide grease trap and maintain.

      Official wording (code 52)

      Sewage & waste water properly disposed

  3. Fail

    License · Fail

    2 critical6 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no hand wash sink in rear prep area that will be used to prepare breakfast foods. Cold hold prep cooler observed in space. Instructed to provide handsink according to food code standards. Priority foundation violation #7-38-030(c).

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed rusted components on interior of ice machine dripping onto ice. Instructed person in charge to replace components, discard ice and maintain. Priority foundation #7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 50 mouse droppings scattered around perimeter of bar behind equipment and in corners. Instructed person in charge to remove all mouse droppings, sanitize areas, and maintain. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a).

      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: Ceramic/clay drinking cups and bowls on site. Instructed o ensure cups are lead-free or lead-safe levels and maintain documentation of such on-site or remove from premises.

      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 no stoppers at three compartment sinks. Instructed person in charge to provide and maintain sink stoppers at all three compartment sinks.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed water backing up at the 3 compartment sink area. When water is released from 2nd sink basin, water backs up into 1st and 3rd sink basins. Grease trap overflowing onto floor. Instructed manager to repair.priority foundation violation #7-38-025.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no grease trap on three compartment sink located in bar. Instructed person in charge to provide grease trap and maintain.

      Official wording (code 52)

      Sewage & waste water properly disposed

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed large gaps and cracked tiles in bar area. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

      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 10 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.