CHICAGO, IL - EL G-FE received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 04/12/2023.
Situated at 4820 S CICERO AVE, the establishment is part of West Lawn's active food service sector. The West Lawn area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation involved pest management. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: Observed Flavored Syrup Stored on Floor in Bar Area. Instructed Manager to Elevate All Food Items Six Inches Off Floor.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas.
The second violation concerned certified food protection manager. Inspectors documented: Single-use/single-service Articles: Properly Stored & Used - Comments: Observed Single Service Articles Stored Under Unshielded Waste Lines in Basement. Instructed Manager to Remove Single Service Articles or Encase Waste Lines to Protect From Potential Leakage.. The FDA Food Code mandates that at least one employee with supervisory responsibility be a certified food protection manager to ensure active managerial control. For more information, see FDA certified food protection manager requirements. Improper food handling by untrained staff increases illness risk.
The third violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Food & Non-food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used - Comments: Observed Raw Wood Shelving in Basement Dry Food Storage Area. Instructed Manager to Seal All Raw Wood Surfaces and Maintain.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The fourth violation regarded supervisory requirements. Inspectors documented: Allergen Training As Required - Comments: Observed No Allergen Training Available. All Certified Managers Must Provide Allergen Training.. The FDA Food Code mandates that at least one employee with supervisory responsibility be a certified food protection manager to ensure active managerial control. For more information, see FDA certified food protection manager requirements. Untrained employees may unknowingly create food safety hazards.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/12/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-202.15 OBSERVED SMALL 1/4IN GAP AT BOTTOM OF EXTERIOR DOOR NEAR WAREWASHING AREA AND BOTTOM OF EXTERIOR DOOR NEAR RESTROOMS LEADING TO PARKING AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOORS TO BE TIGHT FITTING.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13 OBSERVED RUST ON INTERIOR SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15 OBSERVED LEAK AT BOTTOM PIPE OF FIRST COMPARTMENT OF THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-201.11 OBSERVED WOODEN BASEBOARD UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE DAMAGED CREATING HOLE IN WALL. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE AND RUST DEPOSITS ON THE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE (ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE MACHINE, AND MAINTAIN IT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL 1/4IN GAP AT BOTTOM OF EXTERIOR DOOR NEAR WAREWASHING AREA AND BOTTOM OF EXTERIOR DOOR NEAR RESTROOMS LEADING TO PARKING AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOORS TO BE TIGHT FITTING.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED RUST ON INTERIOR SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK AT BOTTOM PIPE OF FIRST COMPARTMENT OF THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WOODEN BASEBOARD UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE DAMAGED CREATING HOLE IN WALL. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PIC WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (RICE,SEAFOOD,CEVICHE,ETC)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES, PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN . (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED); FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: INTERIOR OF CHUTE IN ICE MACHINE WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN REACH IN COOLER: COLESLAW 49.9F, SOUR CREAM 48.9F, GUACAMOLE 50.1F, CHEESE 49.2F, AND HAMBURGERS AT 54.2F. ALL DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 2OLBS $100 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES.; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: REACH IN COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE, INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE OF 54.1F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD NOT TO USE UNTIL ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: EQUIPMENT (POTS) STORED IN BASEMENT UNDER SEWER LINES THAT ARE NOT SHIELDED TO INTERCEPT POTENTIAL DRIPS. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: RUSTY SURFACE ON BOTTOM SHELVES OF PREP TABLES. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: EXPIRED ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas. Improper food handling by untrained staff increases illness risk. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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