El Gallo Mexican Food

Year by year

Inspections

1. Apr 13, 2026 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

     OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING GLOVES WHILE PREPARING READY TO EAT TCS FOODS CUSTOMERS TACOS: OBSERVED HIM ADDING TOPPING/CONDIMENTS SUCH AS ONIONS,LETTUCE AND TOMATOES WITH SAID TACO SHELL IN HIS BARE HAND. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLER TO WASH HIS HAS AND PROPERLY USE GLOVES WHILE HANDLING TCS READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS. ALSO INTRUCTED MANAGER THAT THERE IS NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-010.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED BRICKS BEING USED TO HOLD UP SHELVING INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED NO LID ON THE GARBAGE CAN IN THE CUSTOMERS WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED THE VENT COVER IN THE CUSTOMERS WASHROOM WITH HEAVY DUST. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PROPERLY WORK(VENTILATION AIR FLOW).

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER/COOK WITHOUT HIS FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

2. Aug 1, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED THE LOWER SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LEAKING (POSSIBLE PIPES) ABOVE THE LIGHTING IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DEEP FREEZER UNIT AND THE FLOOR AND WALL AREA UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND POSSBLE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

3. Jul 23, 2025 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

     OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER PRESENT WHILE FOODS; SUCH AS, SCHICKEN,BEEF, FISH, AND OTHER TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED. INSTRUCTED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE FACILITY IS OPENED AND OPERATING AND WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

     OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TESTING DEVICES FOR MANUAL WARE WASHING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE AT RETURN INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED THE LOWER SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LEAKING (POSSIBLE PIPES) ABOVE THE LIGHTING IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DEEP FREEZER UNIT AND THE FLOOR AND WALL AREA UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND POSSBLE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

     OBSERVED CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2609936 DATED 01/02/2025 VIOLATION # 47 4-501.2 CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHEN WORN OR WITH DEEP CUTS. WITH A CORRECT BY DATE OF 4/2/2025 STILL NOT CORRECTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

4. Jan 2, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

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

     CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHEN WORN OR WITH DEEP CUTS

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     TOILET ROOM WASTE RECEPTACLE IN NEED OF COVER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     FLOORS IN BASEMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND FLOORS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING BETWEEN EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     FILTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

5. Jun 20, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     RUBBER GASKETS AT REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     BULK FOOD ITEMS IE.. DRIED RICE, BEAN, SLAT AND SUGAR MUST BE STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH NAME DISPLAYED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND REFRAIN FROM LEAVING OPEN IN BAGS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     WINDOWS THAT ARE OPENED IN NEED OF SCREENS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

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

     CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING OR REPLACING WHERE DARK SPOTS AND CUTS ARE LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     DETAIL CLEANING OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INTERIOR CLEANING OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL WATER, FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     HOOD VENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

6. Mar 10, 2023 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     OBSERVED THERMOMETERS MISSING IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET ON PREP COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA, DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA, MISSING OUTLET COVER ALONG WALL LEADING TO BASEMENT, OPENINGS IN WALLS OF EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED VENTILATION NOT OPERABLE IN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.