El Texcal Restaurant: health inspection history

Feb 25, 2026 Canvass

• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED FACILITY STORING RAW MEATS IN SINGLE USE GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT NOT TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN SINGLE USE GROCERY BAGS AND TO STORE IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.

Apr 7, 2025 Canvass

• 10.ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLEInspector comment: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK LOCATED AT REAR DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
• 40.PERSONAL CLEANLINESSInspector comment: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR EMPLOYEE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
• 51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE FRONT PREP DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE THE FURNACE ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.(NO MILK CRATES TO BE USED FOR ELEVATING ITEMS).
• 56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE THE WOMENS WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.

Apr 8, 2024 Canvass

• 10.ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLEInspector comment: Observed no handwashing sign at hand sink at front prep area. Instructed to provide handwashing sign at front prep area hand sink.
• 36.THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATEInspector comment: Observed no thermometer present in the reach in cooler at the front prep area. Instructed manager to provide thermometer the front reach in cooler. Manager provided at time of inspection.
• 37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: Observed storage containers in rear dry storage to not have the common name of the food stored. Instructed manager to label storage containers with common name such as garlic, onions, chili powder, etc.
• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: Observed no door sweep present at door to the rear exit alleyway door. Gap greater than 1/4 inch was observed at bottom of door. Instructed manager to rodent proof rear exit door.
• 41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: Observed wet wiping cloths stored on the shelf and prep surface in front prep area. Instructed manager that all wet wiping cloths must be stored in a sanitizer solution in between each use.
• 44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: Observed stored pots and pans to not be covered or inverted in the rear dry storage area. Instructed manager to invert or cover all pots and pans in storage.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: Observed a scratched and deeply gouged cutting board in front prep area. Instructed manager to provide a replacement with a smooth and easily cleanable surface.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: Observed milk crates stored and used as shelving in rear dry storage area. Instructed manager to provide shelves.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: Observed damaged wall section above rear dry storage shelves, peeling paint on the ceiling in rear dry storage area near chest freezer, and a hole in ceiling near chest freezer. Instructed manager to provide a smooth and easily cleanable surface for all walls and ceiling.

Jan 12, 2023 Canvass Re-Inspection

• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: 4-202.12 OBSERVED POT TOO LARGE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CREATE CLEAN IN PLACE PROCEEDURE.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: 4-101.19 OBSERVED MEAT STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAG IN FREEZER CHEST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PLACE MEAT IN FOOD GRADE BAG.

Jan 6, 2023 Canvass

• 16.FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZEDInspector comment: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASH AND RINSE DISHES AND PUT THEM AWAY WITHOUT SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL DISHES ARE WASHED RINSED AND SANITIZED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED POT TOO LARGE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CREATE CLEAN IN PLACE PROCEEDURE.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED MEAT STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAG IN FREEZER CHEST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PLACE MEAT IN FOOD GRADE BAG.
• 52.SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSEDInspector comment: OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT DRAINS ANOTHER ONE FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED

Jan 24, 2022 Canvass

• 36.THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATEInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE COOLERS.
• 37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL FOR FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SALT, SUGAR ETC).
• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE BOILER ROOM.
• 58.ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIREDInspector comment: FOUND INCOMPLETE APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
• 64.MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERSInspector comment: FOUND NO WRITTEN PROTOCOL AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A WRITTEN RECORD DESCRIBING PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING PROOF OF VACCINATION IN PUBLIC PLACES. VIOLATION 2-112-340 NO CITATION ISSUED
• 64.MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERSInspector comment: OBSERVED NO SIGNAGE POSTED AT THE ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE TO THE COVERED LOCATION AND AT LEAST ONE LOCATION INSIDE PREMISES THAT IS CONSPICOUSLY VISIBLE, INFORMING PATRONS OF THE FULL VACCINATION REQUIREMENT. INSTRUCTED TO POST SIGNAGE. VIOLATION 2-112-340 NO CITATION ISSUED
• 64.MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERSInspector comment: OBSERVED NO RECORDS RELATING TO EMPLOYEE VACCINATION STATUS AND TESTING AT COVERED LOCATIONS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION 2-112-340 NO CITATION ISSUED

Apr 14, 2021 Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations listed in this record.

Apr 7, 2021 Canvass

• 10.ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLEInspector comment: NO HOT WATER WAS PROVIDED AT THE FRONT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. THE HANDLE TO THE HOT WATER WAS STRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED ON. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
• 22.PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURESInspector comment: OBSERVED TCS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS AND REFRIGERATOR. OBSERVED COOKED RICE AT 65.1F, BEEF AT 46.7-50.7F, SALSA AT 49.1F, SOUR CREAM AT 53.3F, CHEESE AT 61.9F, BEANS AT 66.2F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOODS AT TEMPERATURES OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
• 25.CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOODInspector comment: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE AND DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
• 33.PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROLInspector comment: PREMISES DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE REFRIGERATION AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. OBSERVED IMPROPER AIR TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS AND REFRIGERATORS. OBSERVED AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 53.4F INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR TRUE PREP COOLER, 48.2F INSIDE OF THE METAL REACH-IN PREP COOLER, AND 71F INSIDE OF THE RERIGERATOR/FREEZER COMBO UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS…
• 45.SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED STYROFOAM TAKE OUT CONTAINERS NOT STORE INVERTED ON THE STORAGE SHELF. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
• 53.TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANEDInspector comment: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE MEN'S WASHROOM DOOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: REPLACE THE MISSING WALL TILES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
• 60.PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTEDInspector comment: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2356206 ON 1/7/20 WERE NOT CORRECTED: 47 - OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO REACH UNDER FOOD PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.