More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
When was El Rincon De Mexico last inspected?
The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 21, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
Yes: 2 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?
11 inspections on record, from Mar 27, 2024 to Oct 21, 2026.
Has El Rincon De Mexico ever been closed by the health department?
No closure appears in the 11 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Mar 27, 2024.
The Full Inspection History
11 inspections
Canvass
Oct 21, 2026
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT WALK IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.
In Plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST ON FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 21, 2026 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
Nov 5, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Oct 16, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 25Food temperature
Official Wording
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
Inspector’s Notes
CORRECTED: DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ADDED TO ALL MENUS
In Plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 16, 2025 · Original Source
License
Oct 9, 2025
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
PREMISES ONLY HAS ONE TOILET ROOM ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITONAL FULLY FUNCTIONAL TOILET ROOM INCLUDING HAND SINK UNDER CITY PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C)
In Plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
Inspector’s Notes
MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED FOOD (EX. EGGS, HAMBURGER, STEAK). INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "THESE ITEMS ARE COOKED TO ORDER" IN ADDITION TO CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
In Plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED LARGE 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 51F DEGREES. COOLER TAGGED. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW AND IS INSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005.
In Plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED
In Plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 9, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Oct 9, 2025
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 25Food temperature
Official Wording
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
Inspector’s Notes
MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED FOOD (EX. EGGS, HAMBURGER, STEAK). INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "THESE ITEMS ARE COOKED TO ORDER" IN ADDITION TO CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
In Plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED LARGE 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 51F DEGREES. COOLER TAGGED. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW AND IS INSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005.
In Plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED.
In Plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 9, 2025 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Mar 31, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 31, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint
Nov 22, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 22, 2024 · Original Source
License
Aug 20, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED CALCIUM BUILD-UP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 20, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 20, 2024
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 20, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Apr 2, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official Wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULB IN HOOD SYSTEM IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 2, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Mar 27, 2024
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO HADNWASHING SIGN AT HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER(SUGAR) NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAMES FOR EASE OF IDENTIFICATION.
In Plain English
Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 60 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER SHELVING NEAR THE WALK-IN COOLER, BEHIND CHEST FREEZER UNITS, AND ON SHELVES IN THE REAR OF THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AREAS, AND INFORM PEST CONTROL OF ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
In Plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
OBSERVED WOODEN BOARD AND PIECE OF DRYWALL BEING USED TO COVER SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SHELVING.
In Plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE UNISEX RESTROOM IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A COVERED REEPTACLE FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULB IN HOOD SYSTEM IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
In Plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.