CHICAGO, IL - Food safety inspectors found regulatory violations at Aztec Dave'S Tequila Bar & Grill, Inc.. during an inspection on 07/25/2025.
Located in the heart of West Town, Aztec Dave'S Tequila Bar & Grill, Inc.. operates from a prominent location at 1143 N California Avenue Chicago Illinois, making it easily accessible to area customers.
The inspection report notes: "3. Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting - comments: observed no signed employees' health policies must be provided and maintained. Observed hand washing sink in bar area not accessible obser..." Food safety guidelines indicate that such conditions should be addressed promptly.
Health department officials noted violations related to sanitation, which require attention for public health compliance.
Food safety experts emphasize that consistent sanitation practices prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria According to Food Safety Modernization Act, Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving hand washing, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive hand washing practices. Studies from public health organizations show that The CDC emphasizes that inadequate hand washing contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks. The FDA Hand Washing Standards offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
In addition to regulatory requirements, these issues may affect the business's standing and public trust. Community health organizations track health department findings to provide education to local residents.
City health officials have required that Aztec Dave'S Tequila Bar & Grill, Inc.. promptly correct these infractions before continuing food service. Re-examination will be conducted to ensure corrections.
The broader restaurant industry can learn valuable lessons from such cases, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to food safety standards. Consumer awareness remains a crucial component in maintaining community food safety.
| Inspection ID | 2621310 |
| DBA Name | AZTEC DAVE'S TEQUILA BAR & GRILL |
| AKA Name | AZTEC DAVE'S TEQUILA BAR & GRILL |
| License # | 2780746 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 1143 N CALIFORNIA AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60622 |
| Inspection Date | 07/25/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 3. MANAGEMENT |
| RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments | OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES' HEALTH POLICIES MUST BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED) | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN BAR AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED A PLASTIC BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL INSIDE OF SAID HAND SINK. ARTICLES WERE REMOVED FROM THE SINK DURING INSPECTION. MUST KEEP ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.WHILE LIMES ARE BEING SQUEEZED AND DRINKS ARE BEING MADE AND SERVED AT THIS TIME.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED) | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICE AT HAND SINK IN BAR AREA PAPER TOWELS WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION) | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND SINK IN BAR AREA. PAPER SOAP WAS PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION) | 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PINK AND BROWN SUBSTANCE AND CALCIUM BUILDUP ON INTERIOR PARTS OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST REMOVE ICE |
| AND SANITIZE. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED) | 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments | OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE NOR REMINDER ON MENU OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS |
| SUCH AS (CEVICHE).MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005) | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments | MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE. | 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE OF ICE BIN IN BAR AREA AND ON TOPSIDE OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT MUST BE STORED IN A PROPER MANNER. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS THAT ARE SOILED AND STAINED TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR. | 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. | 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED |
| & CLEANED - Comments | MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM IN BASEMENT. | 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BOTH OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH ABOVE RIMS WITH LIDS OPEN. MUST MAKE LIDS FOR GARBAGE CANS TIGHT-FITTING.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED) | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN. |
| Latitude | 41.90236935813602 |
| Longitude | -87.69671977737406 |
| Location | (41.90236935813602 |
This inspection was conducted on July 25, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: sanitation, hand-washing.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
