Complaint Re-Inspection
Oct 14, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 14, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
La Colonia
4821 N Elston Ave
Last inspected Oct 14, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
- When was La Colonia last inspected?
- The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 14, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
- Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
- No. No violations were recorded at the most recent inspection.
- How many inspections are on record?
- 5 inspections on record, from Apr 29, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026.
- Has La Colonia ever been closed by the health department?
- No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Apr 29, 2025.
The Full Inspection History
5 inspectionsComplaint
Oct 7, 2026
Fail
5 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED 3 HAND WASHING SINKS WITH NO HAND DRYING PROVISIONS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
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.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official Wording
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED SAUSAGES HELD AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 49 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED 10 POUNDS SAUSAGE ($30) PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
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.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 38Pests
Official Wording
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED MORE THAN 20 SMALL FLIES AND 1 LIVE ROACH THROUGHOUT FACILITY INCLUDING IN BAR AREA, KITCHEN PREP AREA, BASEMENT, AND DINING ROOM AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. PEST CONTORL SERVICE RECOMMENDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.
More about signs of rodents or insectsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM SINK WITH LEAK FORM BOTTOM PIPES WHENEVER SAID SINK IS RUN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SINK.
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.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsnotedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector’s Notes
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
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.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 7, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 3, 2026
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH HEAVY LEAK. WHEN LEFT COMPARTMENT IS FILLED WITH WATER; WATER LEAKS INTO AND CONTAMINATES THE ADJACENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL LEAK AND ENSURE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. MANAGER SEALED LEAK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED
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 problemsnotedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT DRAINS ANOTHER ONE FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGER CLEANED GREASE TRAP PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED
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.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
May 1, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 1, 2025 · Original Source
License
Apr 29, 2025
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE FOR THE MAIN COOKING AREA WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED. MUST INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE MAIN COOKING AREA WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE ON SITE. MUST OBTAIN A WATERPROOF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMOMETER OR HIGH TEMPERATURE TEST STRIPS TO VERIFY THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IS REACHING 160°F MINIMUM AT THE PLATES' SURFACE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 29, 2025 · Original Source