Non-Inspection
Oct 19, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 19, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Thimi's Empanadas
1247 S Western Ave
Last inspected Oct 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
No Entry
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
- When was Thimi's Empanadas last inspected?
- The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 19, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “No Entry”.
- Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
- No. No violations were recorded at the most recent inspection.
- How many inspections are on record?
- 4 inspections on record, from Aug 26, 2024 to Oct 19, 2026.
- Has Thimi's Empanadas ever been closed by the health department?
- No closure appears in the 4 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Aug 26, 2024.
The Full Inspection History
4 inspectionsCanvass
Apr 9, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
5 recorded violations
notedCode 24Other
Official Wording
TIME AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONTROL; PROCEDURES & RECORDS
Inspector’s Notes
3-501.19 OBSERVED FACILITY USING TIME AS A TEMPERATURE CONTROL WITHOUT ADEQUATE LOGS. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOGS WITH THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT, THE INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF THE PRODUCT, THE TIME THE PRODUCT WAS REMOVED FROM THE OVEN, AND THE TIME THE PRODUCT MUST BE DISCARDED. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED SAID TCS FOODS DURING THE INSPECTION. 100LBS OF EMPANADAS AT INADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 64F-73F, DISCARDED, VALUED AT $350. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official Wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s Notes
2-402.11 OBSERVED THE MANAGER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT A HAIR NET/RESTRAINT SUCH AS A CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
In Plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s Notes
5-205.15 OBSERVED THE COLD-WATER KNOB UNABLE TO TURN ON PROPERLY AT THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
6-501.114 OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT AND ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY CLUTTER, ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND.
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 57Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s Notes
2-102.13 OBSERVED A MALE FOOD HANDLER (NEW HIRE) WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 9, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Sep 4, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 4, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 26, 2024
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 33Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 60.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD-FOR-INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, FAX OR EMAIL TO CDPH.MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. 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 RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED ILLINOIS EXTERMINATOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE INSECT AND VERMIN SERVICES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. A LOG BOOK SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY’S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC (IDPH) HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C). 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
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, Aug 26, 2024 · Original Source