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Pupuseria Y Restaurant El Centro Americano

February 9, 2026 · Pass w/ Conditions

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official resultPass w/ Conditions
resultPass w/ Conditions
inspection typeCanvass
failed findings9
critical findings1

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Failed findings

sick-employee policy not followedcritical

Official wording: Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
code 3Priority
food improperly labeled

Official wording: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
Inspector note: MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
code 37
Personal Cleanliness

Inspector note: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS REPARED AND SERVED.
code 40
grimy wiping cloths

Official wording: Wiping Cloths: Properly Used & Stored
Inspector note: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES AND HANDWASHING SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
code 41
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles: Properly Stored & Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
code 45
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: OBSERVED FROZEN FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE CHEST FREEZER AND UPRIGHT FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN FOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE/USE PROPER FOOD GRADE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
code 47
floors, walls, or ceilings grimy

Official wording: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE UTILITY MOP SINK IN REAR CLOSET. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE UTILITY ROOM. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
code 55
Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS STORED BEING STORED IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES STORAGE NOT IN FOOD STORAGE AREA OR PREP AREA.
code 56
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
code 57

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass on April 16, 2025: 9 findings appeared for the first time. 1 previous finding 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.