El Mezquite Grill

Year by year

Inspections

1. Feb 20, 2026 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING UNDER PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

2. Jul 23, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

3. Oct 23, 2024 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

4. Aug 2, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP DISH AREA TO BE WATER STAINED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL AFFECTED CEILING TILES.

5. Aug 15, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE GRILL TO REMOVE FOOD PARTICLES.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     FOUND NO COVER ON THE WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WASTE RECEPTACLE WITH A COVER FOR PERSONAL SANITARY ITEMS.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     MINIMAL CLEANING NEEDED TO VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE GRILL IN FRONT PREP AREA; CLEAN VENTS.

6. Nov 10, 2020 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DRIED BREAD AND FOOD DEBRIS ON AND AROUND SURFACES OF TOASTER AND TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

7. May 16, 2019 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED GREASE DEPOSITS ON THE CREVICE OF THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

8. Aug 14, 2018 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

     2-102.14A OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN -UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

     3-501.17(C)OBSERVED READY TO EAT FOODS IN REACH IN COOLER NOT DATE MARKED.MUST DATE MARK AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     4-202.16 MUST REMOVE FOIL AND PAPER TOWELS LINED ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA.MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     4-601.11 MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FAN BLADES IN DINING AREA,INTERIOR OF OVEN,MICROWAVE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-201.11 MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-201.13 MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL TILE BEHIND GRILL TABLE IN FRONT PREP AREA AND DAMAGED CEILING TILE NEAR FRONT WINDOW.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     PA 100-0367 OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION . MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION)

9. Aug 9, 2017 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Minor

     CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

     MULTI USE UTENSILS AT FRONT COUNTER FOR SERVICE MUST BE INVERTED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

10. Jun 29, 2016 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      MUST DEFROST THECHEST FREEZERS OF HEAVY ACCUMLICATION OF ICE BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      MUST CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD COVERS THROUGHT PREMISES OF DUST BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA

11. May 22, 2015 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      CLEAN WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA TO REMOVE GREASE. CLEAN CEILING VENT IN REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE DUST.

12. Nov 7, 2014 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

      SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (HANDLE UP).

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      INTERIOR OF COOKING HOOD WITH GREASE/DUST BUILD-UP ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN SAME AND MAINTAIN.

13. Apr 18, 2014 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      STORAGE SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER AND FLAT TOP GRILL ATTACHED GREASE CONTAINER NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. REPAIR SAME. SPLASHGUARD MISSING INBETWEEN PREP SINK AND 3-C.OMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE SAME.

14. Feb 14, 2013 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

      THE OPEN FOODS ARE NOT LABELED AND DATED, LABEL AND DATE ALL OPEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      THE REAR MOP SINK IS CLUTTERED, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM THE SINK.

15. Mar 14, 2012 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CLEAN EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR BOTTOM CABINET OF FRYER IN FRONT PREP AREA.

16. Feb 18, 2011 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

      All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABLE & DATE COOKED FOODS STORED IN COOLERS.MUST LABLE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS & PREPACKED DESSERTS IN COOLERS FOR SALE.

    • Not serious Minor

      CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

      Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.MUST INVERT POTS & PANS ON SHELVING UNITS.

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST PROVIDE A BARRIER BETWEEN HOT HOLDING UNIT & SERVICE COUNTER OR REMOVE UNIT,REACH IN COOLERS & FOOD STORED IN DINING AREA NEEDS LOCKS OR MOVE FOOD TO PREP AREA .MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN HANDLE ON TOP SIDE OF PREP COOLER.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP AREA,MISSING WALL TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE 1- COMPARTMENT LEAKY FAUCET.

    • Not serious Minor

      REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

      All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.CHEST FREEZERS.

17. Jun 2, 2010 License Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

18. May 11, 2010 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Serious Critical

      SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW

      In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL A MOP SINK WITH HOT/COLD WATER AND BACK FLOW DEVICE.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

      All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL GREASE TRAP UNDER 3PART SINK, AND REPAIR PIPES UNDER SAME SINK.