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Restaurant inspections / Grocery Store

La Esmeralda

1005 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago 60651 · Risk 1 (High)

Pass w/ Conditions

Most recent result

Mar 17, 2026

3

Inspections on record

0

Times passed

0

Times failed

Violations cited on Mar 17, 2026

  1. #3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.
  2. #23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS (COOKED CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 8#'S OF FOOD WORTH $30.00.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
  3. #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO SEAL/PAINT ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES SO AS TO BE NON POROUS AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  4. #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
  5. #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
  6. #52SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL GREASE TRAP BOX/INTERCEPTOR CONNECTED UNDERNEATH THE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
  7. #55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA, AROUND PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  8. #56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
  9. #57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

Inspection history

DateTypeResultRisk
Mar 17, 2026CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Jul 10, 2025ComplaintPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Jun 10, 2021LicensePass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)

Source

Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.

Other inspected places in 60651

3rd Yoyo Food Mart957 N Drake AveAugusta Convenience Store3605 W Augusta BlvdAugusta Market 163605 W Augusta BlvdJk Food & Deli1325 N Central AveUrban Essentials5300-5302 W Chicago AveThe Corner Store Deli4900 W Walton St

La Esmeralda — questions

Did La Esmeralda pass its last health inspection?
La Esmeralda at 1005 N Pulaski Rd was inspected on Mar 17, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass w/ Conditions".
What violations were cited at La Esmeralda?
The most recent inspection cited 9 violations, beginning with: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH E
What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?
Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
Where does this inspection data come from?
The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.

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