CHICAGO, IL - CLARK EL RANCHITO CORP received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 04/17/2023.
Situated at 4651 N CLARK ST, the establishment is part of Uptown's active food service sector. The Uptown area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation related to hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: Observed No Handwashing Signage at the Exposed Handsink, Located in the Rear Preparation Area. Instructed the Person in Charge to Provide Handwashing Signage at All Handsinks and Maintain Them.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.
The second violation concerned supervisory requirements. Inspectors documented: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction - Comments: Observed No Shellstock Tag Attached to Container of Oysters, Located in Rear Walk-in Cooler, at Time of Inspection. Informed the Person in Charge That the Shellfish Shellstock Tag Must Remain Attached to the Container Until the Container Is Empty. Instructed to Maintain Tags for 90 Days on Premises. the Manager Voluntarily Discarded 10 Lb at a Value of $40. Priority Foundation Violation # 7-38-005. Citation Issued.. 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. Language barriers without proper training can lead to misunderstandings.
The third violation involved pest control. Inspectors documented: Food Separated and Protected - Comments: Observed Raw Shrimp Being Stored Above Cooked and Ready-to-eat Vegetables Inside a Two-door Reach-in Cooler Located in the Rear Preparation Area. Instructed the Person in Charge Always to Store Cooked and Ready-to-. 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. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
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 04/17/2023 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: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN RUBBER GASKET AROUND 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE KITCHEN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REGROUT FLOOR TILES WITH DEEP SEAMS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA (BY THE DISHMACHINE AND BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK); PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.114 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REORGANIZE AND REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNUSED ITEMS STORED IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED; PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED NO LABEL AND DATE ON READY TO EAT FOOD (COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED RICE, BEEF, CHICKEN, REFRIED BEANS ETC ) STORED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND INSIDE PREP COOLER FOR OVER 24 HOURS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A DATE LABEL ON ALL READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS IF STORED OVER 24 HOURS. MUST IDENTIFY FOOD PRODUCTS SHELF LIFE OR CONSUME BY DATING (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL WEIGHT 50 LBS TOTAL VALUE $ 250.00 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENUS FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT: "THESE FOODS ARE COOKED TO ORDER." CONSUMING RAW OR UNDER COOKED MEATS, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH OR EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS INCLUDING INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND UNDER AND AROUND GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REORGANIZE AND REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNUSED ITEMS STORED IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2574364 ISSUED ON 04-17-2023 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED #10 - OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK, LOCATED IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN THEM #39 - OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS. #47 - OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND THE TWO-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE SURFACES WERE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. #47 - OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN THEM. #49 - OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55 - OBSERVED MULTIPLE HOLES IN CEILING PANELS LOCATED IN THE FRONT DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR CEILING PANELS AND MAINTAIN THEM. #55 - OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. #57 - OBSERVED MULTIPLE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK, LOCATED IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN THEM.; REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED NO SHELLSTOCK TAG ATTACHED TO CONTAINER OF OYSTERS, LOCATED IN REAR WALK-IN COOLER, AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INFORMED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT THE SHELLFISH SHELLSTOCK TAG MUST REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER UNTIL THE CONTAINER IS EMPTY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TAGS FOR 90 DAYS ON PREMISES. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 10 LB AT A VALUE OF $40. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED RAW SHRIMP BEING STORED ABOVE COOKED AND READY-TO-EAT VEGETABLES INSIDE A TWO-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE ALWAYS TO STORE COOKED AND READY-TO-EAT FOODS ABOVE THE UNCOOKED (RAW) FOODS. FOOD MUST ALSO BE COVERED AND PROTECTED. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 30 LBS AT A VALUE OF $120. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN THEM.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND THE TWO-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE SURFACES WERE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES); PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE HOLES IN CEILING PANELS LOCATED IN THE FRONT DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR CEILING PANELS AND MAINTAIN THEM.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED TWO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARNESS CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN THEM..
Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
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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