Mariscos El Malecon

• resultPass w/ Conditions
• critical violations6
• last inspectedJuly 2, 2019
• address9706 S Commercial Ave, Chicago 60617

Is Mariscos El Malecon clean?

Mariscos El Malecon is currently Pass w/ Conditions from Chicago Department of Public Health, from an inspection on July 2, 2019. Inspectors wrote up 6 critical violations — the kind most directly linked to foodborne illness. On Cooked's ladder that reads mid 😬.

What did inspectors find at Mariscos El Malecon?

These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on July 2, 2019, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.

• 📋no certified food manager on dutycritical
  Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties • 2-102.14 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
• 📋certified manager paperwork missingcritical
  City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate • 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SHRIMP, OCOTPUS) IS BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
• 🤒sick-employee policy not followedcritical
  Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
• 🤒staff working while sickcritical
  Procedures For Responding To Vomiting And Diarrheal Events • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
• 🚿water/temperature at the sink offcritical
  No Bare Hand Contact With Rte Food Or A Pre-Approved Alternative Procedure Properly Allowed • 3-301.11(B) OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS (CHOPPED CUCUMBER AND CHOPPED TOMATOES) WITH BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID FOODS AND TO NEVER HAVE BARE HAND CONTACT WITH ANY READY TO EAT FOODS, AND TO ALWAYS USE TONGS, FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES OR SPOONS TO HANDLE ALL READY TO EAT FOODS AT ALL TIMES. SAID EMPLOYEE DISCARDED FOODS AND WASHED HANDS AND PUT ON FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010.
• 🚰handwashing sink blocked or barecritical
  Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible • 5-205.11 OBSERVED THE FOOD PREP AREA'S ONLY HAND WASHING SINK BLOCKED WITH DIRTY DISHES INSIDE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO NEVER BLOCK THE HAND WASHING SINK. EMPLOYEE REMOVED DIRTY DISHES FROM THE HAND WASHING SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C). • 6-301.14 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM AND BY THE HAND WASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND BEHIND THE BAR.
• 🧽surfaces not properly sanitized
  Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE WITH A SLITE BROWNISH SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
• 🧊food not cooled down right
  Proper Date Marking And Disposition • 3-501.17 OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY READY TO EAT FOODS (SLICED TOMATOES, DICED CUCUMBER) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
• 📄consumer advisory missing
  Consumer Advisory Provided For Raw/Undercooked Food • 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (OYSTERS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
• ⚠️Approved Thawing Methods Used • 3-501.13 OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SHRIMP) BEING IMPROPERLY THAWED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) UNTIL THE PRODUCT REACHES 41F OR THAW INSIDE OF A REFRIGERATOR. TEMPERATURE OF THE SHRIMP DURING THE INSPECTION WAS 35F.
  Approved Thawing Methods Used • 3-501.13 OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SHRIMP) BEING IMPROPERLY THAWED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) UNTIL THE PRODUCT REACHES 41F OR THAW INSIDE OF A REFRIGERATOR. TEMPERATURE OF THE SHRIMP DURING THE INSPECTION WAS 35F.
• 🌡️thermometers missing
  Thermometers Provided & Accurate • 4-302.12 OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE TO PROPERLY TAKE TEMPERATURES OF COLD AND HOT FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. • 4-204.112(B) OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF THE FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
• 🧻grimy wiping cloths
  Wiping Cloths: Properly Used & Stored • 3-304.14 OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT BEING STORED IN SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER.
• ⚠️In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored • 3-304.12 OBSERVED A KNOFE BEING STORED BETWEEN THE PREP COOLER AND THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL UTENSILS PROPERLY BETWEEN USE.
  In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored • 3-304.12 OBSERVED A KNOFE BEING STORED BETWEEN THE PREP COOLER AND THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL UTENSILS PROPERLY BETWEEN USE.
• ⚠️Gloves Used Properly • 3-304.15(B-D) OBSERVED FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES NOT BEING USED TO HANDLE RTE FOODS. INSTRUCTED ON PROPER GLOVE USE AND WHEN TO USE GLOVES.
  Gloves Used Properly • 3-304.15(B-D) OBSERVED FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES NOT BEING USED TO HANDLE RTE FOODS. INSTRUCTED ON PROPER GLOVE USE AND WHEN TO USE GLOVES.
• ⚠️Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • 4-603.15 OBSERVED POTS TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SAID LARGE POTS OR INSTALL A LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK THAT SUBMERGES THE LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR WASHING RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
  Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • 4-603.15 OBSERVED POTS TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SAID LARGE POTS OR INSTALL A LARGER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK THAT SUBMERGES THE LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR WASHING RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
• 🚻bathroom / plumbing issues
  Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
• ⚠️Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned • 5-501.17 OBSERVED A CLOSED RECEPTACLE IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned • 5-501.17 OBSERVED A CLOSED RECEPTACLE IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
• 🧹floors, walls, or ceilings grimy
  Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean • 6-501.13 OBSERVED THE FLOORS THRU OUT WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND DIRT DEBRIS AND STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR BY THE REAR EXIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
• ⚠️All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • 2-102.13 OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • 2-102.13 OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
• 🥜allergen training missing
  Allergen Training As Required • 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

When was Mariscos El Malecon last inspected?

Mariscos El Malecon has 3 inspections on record going back to May 29, 2018.

Mariscos El Malecon vs East Side

East Side runs 64% clean across 189 tracked restaurants — 119 clean, 48 mid, 20 cooked.

Against the 189 spots Cooked tracks in East Side, this one comes out cleaner than 11% of them.

Other spots in East Side

• ✓ La Michoacana Bonita, Inc
  clean · February 11, 2026
• ✓ Los Tres Amigos 2, Inc
  clean · May 3, 2018
• ✓ Tacos Castillo
  clean · January 7, 2026
• ✓ Ceviche Cantina
  clean · June 5, 2018
• ✓ American Accord Food Corp
  clean · April 9, 2025
• ✓ Los Tres Amigos #2
  clean · December 2, 2025

See every restaurant inspection in East Side →

How Chicago grades restaurants

Chicago does not use letter grades. Every inspection ends in one of three official results: Pass, Pass with Conditions, or Fail. Pass with Conditions means violations were found but corrected on the spot or under a deadline — the restaurant is open, with homework. A Fail means serious violations went uncorrected, and it usually brings a re-inspection within days. Chicago also flags “priority” violations, the ones most likely to actually make someone sick. Cooked reads Pass as clean, Pass with Conditions as mid, and Fail as cooked, and shows the itemized violations behind each result.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health via Chicago Data Portal. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated July 2, 2019. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.