La Esmeralda

Year by year

Inspections

1. Mar 17, 2026 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

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

     OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

     OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (COOKED CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 8#'S OF FOOD WORTH $30.00.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO SEAL/PAINT ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES SO AS TO BE NON POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

     INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL GREASE TRAP BOX/INTERCEPTOR CONNECTED UNDERNEATH THE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA, AROUND PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

2. Jul 10, 2025 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED

   • Severity not stated

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS ON SITE. FOUND EGGS ON A SHELF AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR RANGING TEMPERATURES OF 69.6F-71.6F. APPROXIMATELY 270 EGGS (13LBS) AT $98 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

     OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING ON CONTAINERS OF COOKED CHICKEN AND CONTAINERS OF OPEN HOTDOGS IN THE PREP COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT STARTING FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PREPARATION. APPROXIMATELY 26LBS AT $78 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     OBSERVED DRY INGREDIENTS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL SEASONING SHAKERS AND CONTAINERS OF SEASONINGS WITH COMMON FOOD NAME.

   • Severity not stated

     WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

     OBSERVED BLUE WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE HANDLE OF THE OVEN IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND MAINTAIN

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE ROOM WITH A SLOW DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

3. Jun 10, 2021 License · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     WASHROOM HANDWASH BOWL MISSING COLD WATER HANDLE. MUST PROVIDE.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.