RestaurantLicence 2438017

El Cabrito

1659 W 47th St, Chicago 60609

Latest verdictPassOct 1, 2026 · 12 days ago

Inspections16since Dec 15, 2015

Fail rate18.8%3 of 16 verdictscitywide 22.4% · below average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass56%
Conditional25%
Fail19%

16 inspections from 2015 to 2026 · hover a mark

20172019202120232025

PassOct 1, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 35
  Approved thawing methods used
  Improper thawing of frozen meat, found frozen goat meat being thawed in standing water in a large container, instructed to thaw according to health code,ie.
2. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Back door left wide open with no screen, instructed to keep outer doors closed or install a screen.
3. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  No lights in basement food storage room, instructed to provide.
PassMay 7, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Fly traps installed above ice maker in basement, instructed to remove.
PassMay 12, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed side exit door with at least 1/4th inch gap between door and floor. Instructed to provide rodent proof door to prevent pest entry.
2. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Observed receptacle in womens toilet room without a covering. Instructed to provide.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed floor tile crumbled and missing on floor by 3 compartment sink in rear prep/dishwashing area. Instructed to repair and provide smooth and easily cleanable floor.
4. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed burned out bulbs throughout rear prep/storage. Instucted to replace and increase lighting.
5. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed to provide food handler training certificates for all food handlers and maintain on site for review.
6. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Instructed city of Chicago certified food managers certificate holder to obtain allergen training as required.
ConditionalApr 3, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Observed that employees and manager wore unaproved jewelry on thgair hands while working with food.
2. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  2-302.11 observed that employees have long, pointed artificial nails and are not wearing gloves while working with exposed food. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.citation issued
3. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed rusted storage racks in coolers. Surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed to repair and maintain.
PassApr 10, 2023Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  3-302.12- noted no label for sugar bulk storage container. Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.
2. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  6-303.11- observed multiple missing lightbulbs in rear prep area, front prep serving counter area, and front window facing ventilation hood. Instructed to install working lightbulbs and maintain.
FailApr 3, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Missing hand wash signage at rear prep area sink and womens restroom. Instructed manager to install and maintain.
2. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Noted no label for sugar bulk storage container. Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.
3. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed facility without a chemical test kit for sanitizer or for ware washing area. Informed person in charge a test kit that accurately measures the concentration in mg/l of sanitizing solution must be provided. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.
4. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed water backing up at the 3 compartment sink area. When water is released from 2nd sink basin, water backs up into 1st and 3rd sink basins. Instructed manager to repair before re-inspection date. Priority foundation violation #7-38-025. Citation issued.
5. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed multiple missing lightbulbs in rear prep area, front prep serving counter area, and front window facing ventilation hood. Instructed to install working lightbulbs and maintain.
PassJul 8, 2022Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Found no backflow device at utility sink as required; instructed to install.
2. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.
3. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Found expired food allergen training certificates; instructed to obtain valid food allergen training certificates for all managers.
FailJul 1, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  No employee health policy on premises as required; instructed to provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010 issued.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  Observed no clean-up policy procedure and items for vomiting and diarrhea. Must provide and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-005 issued.
3. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Found tcs foods at improper temperatures. Found cooked meat at 51f and 55.7f in coolers, found raw meat at 50f and 54.8f. Instructed that all tcs foods (raw or cooked) must be maintained at 41f or below at all times. 10 pounds of meat valued at $40 was discarded. Priority violation 7-38-005 issued.
4. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Inadequate refrigeration temp. Found refrigeration unit ambient air temperature at 48.7f. Instructed that all refrigeration units must be able to maintain tcs foods at 41f or below. Priority violation 7-38-005 issued. Unit tagged held for inspection at this time.
5. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed rodent droppings and live roaches on premises. Found 30-40 mouse droppings on floor in corner by refrigeration units in dishwashing area and live roaches on the floor in the dining area and in cooking area. Instructed to have pest control service prior to reinspection next week. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) issued.
6. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Instructed to clean exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, interiors of refrigeration units.
7. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Found no backflow device at utility sink as required; instructed to install.
8. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Must provide a garbage can with a lid in womens toilet room.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Instructed to clean the floors under around and behind all cooking equipment and refigeration units.
10. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.
11. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Found expired food allergen training certificates; instructed to obtain valid food allergen training certificates.
ConditionalApr 2, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Pic doesn't have a food managers certificate.must provide and mainatin.(priority foundation 7-38-012)
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no certified food managers certificate posted to view while tcs foods are being prepared,handled and served such as (goat,beans,fish,rice)must provide and maintain.(priroity foundation 7-38-012)(citation issued)
3. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  Observed no clean-up policy procedure and items for vomiting and diarrhea.must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38-005)
4. 8
  Hands clean & properly washed
  Observed male food handler taking orders at counter and then handling cash and prepared foods without washing hands and a female employee was cupping salsa and then went into another prep area handling masa for tortillas and placing them on grill without washing hands.must wash hands after every different task.(priority 7-38-010)(cos) consolidated violation.
5. 8
  Hands clean & properly washed
  Observed male food handler taking orders at counter and then handling cash,turned and pumped sanitizer in his hands and wiped hands with a paper towel and prepared foods without washing hands with soap and running water.must wash hands properly at hand sink .(priroity 7-38-010)(citation issued)(cos)
6. 9
  No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
  Observed male and female food handlers handling tcs foods with bare hand contact with ready to eat foods such as tortillas,onions,cilantro,etc.must provide gloves or utensils.no gloves on premises ,deli tissue was used(priority 7-38-010)(citation issued)(cos)
7. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Must provide hand washing signs at all hand sinks.
8. 25
  Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
  Observed no consumer advisory disclosure and reminder on menu of the risk of consuming raw and under cooked foods.must provide and maintain.(priroity foundation 7-38-005)
9. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Must label food storage containers when food is not in original package.
10. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Must provide a barrier at entry into front & middle prep areas near toilet rooms.
11. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Must provide hair restraints for food handlers.
12. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Must store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
13. +9 more
PassFeb 10, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored improperly. Instructed to store in sanitizing solution and maintain
2. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Must provide self closing device for women's washroom door.
3. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Must provide covered receptacle for women's washroom.
4. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Repair/replace missing or damaged floor tiles at grill area.
ConditionalApr 19, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  No employee health policy on site at the time of inspection. Instructed to obtain and maintain. Priority foundation #7-38-010.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  No vomit or diarrhea procedure on site at time of inspection. Instructed to obtain and no citation issued maintain. Priority foundation #7-38-005.
3. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
4. 23
  Proper date marking and disposition
  Variety of foods not properly labeled (cheese, sour cream, chicken, cooked beef, etc.) stored inside the walk in and front prep reach in cooler. Food prepared and held for more than 24 hours shall be properly labeled to indicate the day or date in which the food shall be discarded. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005
5. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed food handler preparing food without a hair restraint. Instructed to provide and maintain
6. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored improperly. Instructed to store in sanitizing solution and maintain
7. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  No back flow prevention device on the service sink. Instructed to provide and maintain
PassJun 29, 2017CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 30
  Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
  Label all bulk containers in beverage area.
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Clean interior of ice machine.
3. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Replace stained ceiling tiles in rear prep/dishwashing area. Repair and paint ceiling in front prep area(water damage).
4. 36
  Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
  Provide light shields or shatterproof bulbs above ice machine and utensil storage shelves in basement. Replace damaged light shield in beverage prep area.
5. 37
  Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
  Repair self-closing device on women washroom door.
6. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Install back flow device on utility sink. Repair faucet handle on rear exposed sink.
ConditionalDec 15, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 21
  * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
  No valid city of Chicago certified manager on premisis from 8:45 am to 10:20am when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served. Foods such as burritos,tacos and gorditas.instructed to have a certified manager on site at all times when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served. Serious violation #7-38-012
FailDec 8, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 18
  No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
  Noted 40 rat droppings along the east wall in basement. Instructed management to contact their pest control operator to help correct rodent problem. Serious violation 7-38-020
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Interior of rear reach in coolers at rear need cleaning.
3. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floor in basement needs cleaning.
4. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  Clutter in basement needs to be removed and reorganized.clutter may be a harborage for pests.
PassMay 12, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Clean floor at rear prep area of food spills.
2. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Replace water damaged ceiling tiles at rear prep area.
3. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Exposed hand sink at rear draining slowly. Must repair.
4. 42
  Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
  Observed food handler without proper hair restraint. Must provide.
PassDec 15, 2015LicenseRisk 1 (High)
1. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floors dirty along the wall base and in corners behind equipment and shelving. Must clean to remove spills and debris. Also floors in poor repair in the rear prep area by the cooler. Must repair and maintain smooth and easliy cleanable.
2. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Noted holes and openings in the wall in the toilet rooms. Must seal to prevent entry point for pests.

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

386×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
565×
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
535×
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
555×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
354×
Approved thawing methods used
374×
Food properly labeled; original container
514×
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
414×
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2438017 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.