RestaurantLicence 2766656

La Malinche Coffee House LLC

2110 S Halsted St, Chicago 60608

Latest verdictPassOct 5, 2026 · 8 days ago

Inspections10since Dec 29, 2020

Fail rate30.0%3 of 10 verdictscitywide 22.4% · above 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

Pass40%
Conditional30%
Fail30%

10 inspections from 2020 to 2026 · hover a mark

202120222023202420252026

PassOct 5, 2026Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 36
  Thermometers provided & accurate
  4-204.112(b): observed no ambient air thermometer stored inside a prep cooler and a refrigerator near the entrance of prep area. Instructed to provide and maintain.
2. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  3-302.12: observed bulk dry ingredient container not labeled on shelf under prep table. Instructed to provide and maintain.
3. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  3-307.11: observed a plastic cup stored inside the flour container. Instructed to use utensils with handles to transfer dry food items.
4. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-601.11(b): observed the interior of the microwave in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.
ConditionalJul 28, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 8
  Hands clean & properly washed
  Observed employees not washing hands after contaminating hands. Observed food handlers doing the following without washing their hands afterwards: came from outside into the prep area and started handling beverage utensils to set up the coffee machine, kill a fly, picked up the fly with a napkin, and put on a hair net. Instructed employees to wash their hands after changing tasks. Employees were instructed to wash their hands at the time of the inspection. Priority violation 7-38-010, citation issued
2. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed improper cold holding temperatures for tcs foods stored inside a refrigerator (51.2f). Found: portions of salmon in aluminum foil, chorizo (48.6f), soy milk (52.0f), about 4 gallons of reduced fat milk (50.2f-52.5f), soy milk (52.0), pork cooked the night before the day of inspection (69.4f), whipped cream (48.1f), and heavy whipping cream (48.0f). Instructed all cold holding foods must reach and maintain 41f or below. Approximately 23 lbs at $115 worth of product discarded. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued
3. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed improper temperatures of refrigerators at 45.8f and 53.2f. Must have cold holding units at 41.0f or below. Please read comments for tag removal procedure. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued
4. 36
  Thermometers provided & accurate
  Observed no ambient air thermometer stored inside a prep cooler and a refrigerator near the entrance of prep area. Instructed to provide and maintain.
5. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Observed bulk dry ingredient container not labeled on shelf under prep table. Instructed to provide and maintain.
6. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed a plastic cup stored inside the flour container. Instructed to use utensils with handles to transfer dry food items.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed the interior of the microwave in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.
FailApr 25, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  6-301.14 observed no hand washing sign in the north toilet room. Instructed to provide.
2. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  6-501.111 observed evidence of pest activity on site. Observed about 15 rodent droppings under the table with the flat top grill and panini press. Instructed to eliminate pest activity, clean and sanitize affected areas, and recommended contacting pest control for a service. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-020(a).
3. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  2-402.11 observed food handlers in the food prep area without adequate hair restraints, such as a cap or a hair net. Instructed to provide.
4. 46
  Gloves used properly
  3-304.15 observed food handlers not knowing when to change gloves. Instructed to re-visit proper glove use with all food handlers.
5. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine in the food prep area. Instructed to locate or provide.
6. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.114 observed clutter in the basement. Instructed to remove unnecessary clutter and organize.
7. 61
  Summary report displayed and visible to the public
  8-304.11(a) observed most recent inspection report summary not posted for the public's view. Instructed always to post the most recent inspection report summary for the public's view at all times. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-42-010(b).
PassApr 4, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  2-402.11 observed food handlers not wearing proper hair restraints. Instructed to wear proper hair restraints at all times while in the food prep area.
2. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-205.15 observed a slow-draining hand-washing sink in the food prep area. Instructed to repair.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.12 observed minor dirt and food debris along the wall by the cooking equipment and under the reach in cooler. Instructed to clean.
4. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  6-304.11 observed no mechanical ventilation on site for the cooking equipment such as a small flat top grill, a crepe flat top grill and a panini press. Instructed to provide mechanical ventilation for all cooking equipment.
ConditionalApr 4, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Found no covered garbage receptacle in unisex toilet room. Instructed to provide.
2. 60
  Previous core violation corrected
  Found continued non- compliance from inspection report #2567530 conducted on november 5, 2022. The following previous core violations were not corrected: 2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirements. 2-102.13 observed the city of Chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirements. Instructed manager to comply.priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.
PassNov 25, 2022Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to provide.
2. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
3. 58
  Allergen training as required
  2-102.13 observed the city of Chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
FailNov 16, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 25
  Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
  3-603.11 observed no consumer advisory posted nor a consumer advisory disclosure or reminder on the menu for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw (eggs). Instructed to post a consumer advisory and add a consumer advisory disclosure and reminder on the menu. Priority foundation 7-38-005.
2. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to provide.
3. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  2-102.13 observed a male food handler without a food handlers certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
4. 58
  Allergen training as required
  2-102.13 observed the city of Chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
PassOct 4, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed no splash guard at the hand washing sink located in the front food service area near the coffee grinder station. Instructed to provide and maintain.
2. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed no backflow device at the one compartment sink in the front food service area and at the mop sink in the rear food prep area. Instructed to obtain for both.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed a build up of dirt under three compartment sink and counters and prep tables in the front food service area. Instructed to clean and maintain.
4. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed the outside walk way that leads to the garbage area with a heavy accumulation of weeds and shrubbage. Instructed to clear and maintain an easy access to the rear garbage area and prevent possible harboring of pest and insects.
5. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed no allergen certificate on site. Instructed to obtain along with the city of Chicago certified food service managers certificate and provide on site.
ConditionalDec 31, 2020License Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  2-102.14(o) observed no employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  2-501.11 observed no written procedure nor adequate supplies on site to respond to vomit and diarrhea events that can potentially occur inside of the facility. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.
3. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-204.12 observed a hose inside of the air gap for the coffee machine. Instructed to provide a backflow prevention device or proper air gap (no less than one inch).
4. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the toilet room. Instructed to provide.
5. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  2-102.13 food handlers certificates not provided. Instructed to meet requirement for food handlers.
6. 58
  Allergen training as required
  2-102.13 observed no allergen training certificate for the city of Chicago food service sanitation manager. Instructed to provide.
FailDec 29, 2020LicenseRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  2-102.14(o) observed no employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  2-501.11 observed no written procedure nor adequate supplies on site to respond to vomit and diarrhea events that can potentially occur inside of the facility. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.
3. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  3-306.11 observed panini press, prep table and refrigerator in a non protected area of the facility. Instructed to either place said equipment behind the food prep area or provide protection. Priority violation 7-38-005.
4. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-204.12 observed a hose inside of the air gap for the coffee machine. Instructed to provide a backflow prevention device or proper air gap (no less than one inch).
5. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle inside of the toilet room. Instructed to provide.
6. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  2-102.13 food handlers certificates not provided. Instructed to meet requirement for food handlers.
7. 58
  Allergen training as required
  2-102.13 observed no allergen training certificate for the city of Chicago food service sanitation manager. Instructed to provide.

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

On the street

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What it gets cited for

517×
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
585×
Allergen training as required
554×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
574×
All food employees have food handler training
393×
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
533×
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
362×
Thermometers provided & accurate
372×
Food properly labeled; original container

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 2766656 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.