Food Safety Report: El Mezcalito Cantina & Grill, 5147-5151 S Archer Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

Chicago, 60632 Illinois, United States

Report date: Jan 8, 2026
1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
- comments: observed no city of chicago certified foodservice manager on premises. Instructed city of chicago certified foodservice manager must be on premises at all times. Corrected on site city of chicago certified foodservice manager arrived to facility at 10:50am. Priority foundation violation.

2. City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
- comments: observed no city of chicago certified foodservice manager on premises. Instructed city of chicago certified foodservice manager must be on premises at all times. Corrected on site city of chicago certified foodservice manager arrived to facility at 10:50am. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012 citation issued.

5. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
- comments: observed all necessary items not on premises for complying with procedure available on site when employees respond to vomitting or diarrheal events. Instructed to follow written procedure for employees to follow when responding to vomitting or diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued

14. Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
- comments: observed shellstock tag from november 2025 with no date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served. Instructed the date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served shall be recorded on the tag or label and observed container of fresh oysters in walk in cooler with no shellstock tag in container. Instructed shellstock tags or labels shall remain attached to the container in which the shellstock are received until the container is empty. Corrected on site container of fresh oysters voluntarily denatured and discarded by management, valued at $110 and weighing 20lbs. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

25. Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
- comments: observed some animal derived foods that can be served raw, undercooked or cooked to order with no asterisk identifying them as such. Instructed to add an asterisk to all animal derived foods that can be served raw, undercooked or cooked to order. Observed disclosure on menu not stating that some asterisked animal derived foods are served raw and undercooked. Instructed to update disclosure on menu to state that asterisked animal derived foods are served raw, undercooked or cooked to order. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed opening at base of westside side exit door on kolin street. Instructed to seal all outer openings to prevent pest entrance.

51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
- comments: observed leaking from both faucets, pipes and drainpipe of three compartment sink. Observed leaking from faucet of handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area. Instructed to fix all leaks at three compartment sink and rear prep/dishwashing sink and maintain. Observed improper minimum water temperature of 44. 4f at right handwashing sink men's washroom. Instructed a handwashing sink shall be equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least 100f through a mixing valve or combination faucet. (note: the left handwashing sink in the men's washroom is functioning properly. )

53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
- comments: observed no covered receptacles in all gender employee washroom and women's washroom. Instructed to provide covered receptacles in all gender employee washroom and women's washroom for sanitary products.

56. Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
- comments: observed buildup on filters of both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area. Instructed to remove buildup and clean filters in both hoods above cooking equipment in rear prep area and maintain.

57. All food employees have food handler training
- comments: at time of inspection no proof of food handler training provided for any food handlers. Instructed to provide food handler training for all food handlers.

58. Allergen training as required
- comments: at time of inspection no allergen awareness training certificate provided for employee with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate. Instructed to provide valid proof of allergen training for all employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates.

60. Previous core violation corrected
- comments: observed previous core violation from inspection report #2611388 dated 01/30/2025 not corrected. Instructed to correct. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued. Ceramic/clay drinking cups and bowls on site. Instructed o ensure cups are lead-free or lead-safe levels and maintain documentation of such on-site or remove from premises.

Source: chicago.gov