El Caldero
5145 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632
Restaurant ZIP 60632 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Apr 22, 2026
El Caldero was last inspected on April 22, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 7 violations, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
April 22, 2026 · License Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
6 general1 paperwork-
GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: 6-202.15: observed opening at lower left corner of rear exit door. 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: 5-204.12: unable to locate backflow prevention device on ice machine. Instructed to install backflow prevention device on ice machine so that it shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.16: observed mop stored in bucket. Instructed to install mop drying rack for proper draining and drying of mops to prevent pest breeding
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.11: observed damaged and missing floor tiles in rear dishwashing area. Instructed to smoothly repair or replace all missing or damaged floor tiles in rear dishwashing area and maintain. Observed missing baseboard underneath front cabinets in front prep area. Instructed to smoothly replace all missing baseboards in front prep area underneath front cabinets front cabinets in front prep area. Observed holes on lower wall underneath front cabinets in front prep area. Instructed to smoothly repair holes in lower wall underneath front cabinets in front prep area and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 6-304.11: observed no mechanical ventilation installed in all gender washroom. Instructed to install mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity in all gender washroom.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 6-303.11: observed flickering light in rear prep/dishwashing area. Instructed to repair or replace flickering light in rear prep/dishwashing area to increase light intensity.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: at time of inspection facility provided no allergen awareness training certificates for employee with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate. Instructed to provide proof of allergen training for all employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
Inspection history
2 inspections on record
-
Fail
License · Fail
8 general1 paperwork Show violations
-
GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed opening at lower left corner of rear exit door. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
-
GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed no barrier to prevent customers from touching food stored in hot holding equipment next to cookline in front prep area. Instructed to install barrier to protect food stored in hot holding equipment next to cookline in front prep area from contamination by public. Observed no barrier to prevent customers from touching food on right side in top storage area of cold holding unit in front prep area. Instructed to install barrier to protect food on right side in top storage area of cold holding unit in front prep area from contamination by public.observed no barrier to prevent customers from entering into rear food prep area. Instructed to install barrier to protect rear food prep area from contamination by public. Priority foundation violation.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Unable to locate backflow prevention device on ice machine. Instructed to install backflow prevention device on ice machine so that it shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed opening in rear of outside grease container lid. Instructed to replace outside grease container lid and maintain tight fitting lid on outside grease container. Priority foundation violation
Official wording (code 54)
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed mop stored in bucket. Instructed to install mop drying rack for proper draining and drying of mops to prevent pest breeding.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed damaged and missing floor tiles in rear dishwashing area. Instructed to smoothly repair or replace all missing or damaged floor tiles in rear dishwashing area and maintain. Observed missing baseboard underneath front cabinets in front prep area. Instructed to smoothly replace all missing baseboards in front prep area underneath front cabinets front cabinets in front prep area. Observed holes on lower wall underneath front cabinets in front prep area. Instructed to smoothly repair holes in lower wall underneath front cabinets in front prep area and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no mechanical ventilation installed in all gender washroom. Instructed to install mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity in all gender washroom.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed flickering light in rear prep/dishwashing area. Instructed to repair or replace flickering light in rear prep/dishwashing area to increase light intensity.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: At time of inspection facility provided no allergen awareness training certificates for employee with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate. Instructed to provide proof of allergen training for all employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
-
More in ZIP 60632
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.