CHICAGO, IL - LALO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 08/18/2025.
Situated at 733 W MAXWELL ST, the establishment is part of University Village's active food service sector. The University Village area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 2 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation involved hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: 38. Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: 6-501.112 Observed Dead Cockroaches on the Floor Under the Dish Washing Machine, on the Wall of the Dish Washing Area and in the Men's Washroom. Management Instructed to Clean and Remove All Dead Insects From the Affected Areas.. 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 related to hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: 57. All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training - Comments: 2-102.13 Observed Almost All of the Food Handling Employees with an Expired Food Handler Certificate. Management Instructed That All Food Handling Employees Must Provide a Valid Food Handler Certificate.. 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. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/18/2025 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: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED MENU WITH A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MISSING DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICKS FOR RELATED MENU ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS OFFERED (STEAKS AND CEVICHE). (REFER TO THE ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF COLD-HOLD UNIT AT 52.1F. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON THE FLOOR LEADING TO THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE WOMENS WASHROOM HANDWASHING SINKS. MUST PROVIDE.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE HOT-HOLDING UNIT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE COMMON NAME OF FOOD ON EACH CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOK'S LINE HANDWASHING SINK SLOW DRAINING. OBSERVED THE LEFT HANDWASH SINK IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM (1 OUT OF 2) WITH HOT WATER AT 91F. MUST REPAIR BOTH SINKS AND PROVIDE HOT WATER AT 100-120F AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS..
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
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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