Food Safety Report: Cremeria Santa Maria, 3424 W 26th St, Chicago, Il, USA.

Chicago, 60623 Illinois, United States

Report date: Mar 10, 2026
23. Proper date marking and disposition
- comments: observed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety (tcs) re-packaged sour cream, steak meat, chorizo, sausage, souse, and a variety of cheeses not date marked to indicate the product's name and date by which the food must be sold, discarded, or consumed within 7 days. Instructed to provide proper labels for date marking and discard date for refrigerated, ready-to-eat, tcs foods held over 24hrs placed in all cold-holding units. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed over 20 rat droppings scattered on floor in basement storage area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed 1/2" gap at bottom of left side door. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on door to prevent pest entry.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: observed food items stored on floor inside walk-in cooler. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

45. Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
- comments: observed single service spoons not inverted on front counter. Instructed manager to invert all single service spoons to protect from contamination.

50. Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
- comments: observed no hot water (64. 2f) at handwashing, 3-compartment and utility sinks. Instructed manager to provide hot water under city pressure at all sinks. Priority 7-38-030(c) citation issued

51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
- comments: observed low water pressure at handwashing sink inside washroom. Observed leaking drainpipe under 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

57. All food employees have food handler training
- comments: observed missing food handler training for employee. All employees handling food and equipment must provide food handler training.

60. Previous core violation corrected
- comments: previous core violation not corrected from report 2623274 on 9-4-25:56- observed ventilation fan in toilet room not operable. Instructed to provide a working ventilation fan. Priority foundation 7-42-090 citation issued

Source: chicago.gov