CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at LAS FUENTES in an inspection dated 08/12/2025.
The facility operates from 2558 N HALSTED ST in Lincoln Park, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: 3-307.11-- Instructed to Provide Durable and Cleanable Cover for Hand Washing Sink and 3-compartment Sink Located at Outdoor Bar When Not in Use to Prevent Any Sources of Contamination.. 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. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The second violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed - Comments: 5-403.12--observed Ice Bin with Drainage Going Directly Onto Floor Located at Outdoor Bar Area. Water Must Be Drained Into a Cleanable Bucket or Into Floor Drain.. 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. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The third violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: 6-201.13--observed Chipping Ceiling in Basement Located By Water Boiler in Rear. Must Repair and Seal.. 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. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
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 08/12/2025 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: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-307.11-- INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DURABLE AND CLEANABLE COVER FOR HAND WASHING SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED AT OUTDOOR BAR WHEN NOT IN USE TO PREVENT ANY SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.; SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: 5-403.12--OBSERVED ICE BIN WITH DRAINAGE GOING DIRECTLY ONTO FLOOR LOCATED AT OUTDOOR BAR AREA. WATER MUST BE DRAINED INTO A CLEANABLE BUCKET OR INTO FLOOR DRAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-201.13--OBSERVED CHIPPING CEILING IN BASEMENT LOCATED BY WATER BOILER IN REAR. MUST REPAIR AND SEAL.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT WITH EXCESS BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE AT THE WATER RESERVIOR AND PANELS. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT CLEAN AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARED READY TO EAT TCS FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS FRIED BEANS, COOKED RICE, COOKED CHICKEN INSIDE 2-DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA LONGER THAN 24 HOURS WITH PREPARATION DATES ONLY. ALSO OBSERVED PREPARED READY TO EAT TCS FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS MEXICAN MOLE, COOKED BEEF, COOKED PORK AND RED SALSA INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LONGER THAN 24 HOURS WITH NO EXPIRATION DATES. ALL FOODS DISCARDED REVIEWED PROPER DATE LABELING ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST PROPERLY LABELED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER AND MUST MAINTAIN.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.; IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED ITEMS IN FRONT PREP AREA AND BASEMENT MUST BE ELEVEATED FROM THE FLOOR AND MUST MAINTAIN.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER ALSO OBSERVED WALK-IN DOOR RUSTY. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLTIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2569727 ON 01/13/23 VIOLATION #40 ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION. #44 NOTED KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED BETWEEN THE WALL AND THE DISH AREA BACKSPLASH. MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL KNIFE HOLDERS. #47 OBSERVED A POROUS STONE MORTAR AND PESTLE AT THE DIRTY DISH AREA OF THE DISH MACHINE. MUST NOT USE AND REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES. FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. #47. OBSERVED A POROUS STONE MORTAR AND PESTLE AT THE DIRTY DISH AREA OF THE DISH MACHINE. MUST NOT USE AND REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES. FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. #55. BASEMENT DRY STORAGE N.E. WALL THAT IS CHIPPING AND PEELING. INSTRUCTED REPAIR THE WALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. ----NOTED MISSING DAMAGED FLOOR TILE AT THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR.----NOTED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE DISH MACHINE. MUST REPLACE. ----HOLE IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE 1ST FLOOR WOMENS NORTH WASHROOM. MUST SEAL/REPAIR. NOTED EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED NON-FOOD CONTACT AREA FOR EMPLOYEE STORAGE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS. #56 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED..
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
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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