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Mezquite Pollo Express

October 16, 2025 · Pass

😇clean

official resultPass
resultPass
inspection typeCanvass Re-Inspection
failed findings6
critical findings0

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Failed findings

food improperly labeled

Official wording: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
Inspector note: OBSERVED PRE PACKAGED COOKIES AND PECAN BARS MADE ON SITE WITHOUT LABEL OF BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
code 37
In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored

Inspector note: OBSERVED KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED IN BETWEEN WIRE AND WALL IN FOOD PREP AREA NEAR GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE FOR UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.
code 43
Utensils, Equipment & Linens: Properly Stored, Dried, & Handled

Inspector note: OBSERVED COOKING UTENSILS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO AVOID CONTAMINATION BY INVERTING UTENSILS WITH HANDLES EXPOSED AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING.
code 44
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: OBSERVED FROZEN RAW CHICKEN STORED IN PLASTIC LINER IN BULK FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS FOR STORING. OBSERVED CRATES IN TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR USED TO STORE PRODUCE. INSTRUCTED TO USE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
code 47
Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned

Inspector note: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE UNISEX TOILET ROOM WITH NO COVERED RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
code 53
Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHTING INTENSITY TO ENSURE VISIBILITY. MUST MAINTAIN.
code 56

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Fail on October 6, 2025: 6 findings recurred. 3 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.