Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Half Moon Empanadas

11601 W Touhy

Last inspected Mar 25, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Half Moon Empanadas last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Mar 25, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 1 violation recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 5 inspections on record, from Feb 26, 2024 to Mar 25, 2026.
Has Half Moon Empanadas ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Feb 26, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

5 inspections

Canvass

Mar 25, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS IN REAR WITH SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 25, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 3, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP OF PINK SLIME IN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 3, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 6, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 39Contamination

Official Wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED EMPLOYEE DRINKS AND FOOD STORED AT THE SAME REFRIGERATION UNIT WITH CUSTOMER FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA WHERE EMPLOYEES CAN STORE THEIR FOOD.

In Plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 6, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 26, 2024

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 26, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 26, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED (3) MISSING CEILING TILES AT REAR IN FRONT OF THE UTILITY MOP SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s Notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN EXHAUST HOOD ABOVE THE OVEN TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND PROVIDE MISSING FILTER ON HOOD 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.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 26, 2024 · Original Source