CHICAGO · 9,734 RESTAURANTS · LIVE DATA

As of 2025-05-14, Cafe El Tapatio received a Pass w/ Conditions on its most recent City of Chicago health inspection.

Cafe El Tapatio

CONDITIONAL

3400-3402 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Lakeview · Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Last inspected 2025-05-14

Directions

Violations at most recent inspection

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN FOOD PREP AREAS/DISHWASHING AREA, INSIDE CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN.

core violation

OBSERVED FOOD ICE NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURIND STORAGE. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF BLACK AND PINK SUBSTANCE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO C

priority violation

VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN THE UPRIGHT REFRIGERATOR WHERE RED SAUCE IS STORED. MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN.

core violation

OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF FOOD STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST ELEVATE CONTAINERS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

core violation

OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA.

core violation

OBSERVED 1-DOOR PREP COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER DOOR GASKETS. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD OR TIN FLOIL AS A LINER FOR SHELVING OR COOKING EQUIPMENT ALL MUST

core violation

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS A FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE CHEST FREEZERS. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

core violation

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE MEAT CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.

core violation

MUST NOT USE TINT FOIL AS A LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREPARATION AREA. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

core violation

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.

core violation

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR OF BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBOAGE.

core violation

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS LOCATED IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING ABOVE

core violation

EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGIND IN FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

core violation

Inspection history — tap to expand

2025-05-14CONDITIONAL

2024-06-20PASS

2024-06-11PASS

2024-04-03CONDITIONAL

2023-01-05CONDITIONAL

Cafe El Tapatio health inspection FAQ

Has Cafe El Tapatio passed its most recent Chicago health inspection?

Cafe El Tapatio received a Pass w/ Conditions on its most recent City of Chicago health inspection, conducted on 2025-05-14. This reflects the restaurant's current status as tracked by the Chicago Department of Public Health -- GutCheck rebuilds this page from the city's live data feed, so it updates automatically as new inspections are recorded.

What violations did Cafe El Tapatio have at its last health inspection?

Inspectors recorded 13 violations at Cafe El Tapatio's most recent inspection on 2025-05-14, including 1 classified as Priority or Priority Foundation. Full violation text is listed on this page below.

When was Cafe El Tapatio last inspected by the City of Chicago?

Cafe El Tapatio was last inspected on 2025-05-14. GutCheck's data is sourced directly from the City of Chicago's public Food Inspections feed and rebuilt on every deploy, so this date reflects the most recent inspection on file at the time you're viewing this page.