Pupuseria & Restaurant El Cuscatleco: health inspection history

Jan 12, 2026 Canvass

• 10.ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLEInspector comment: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA.

Apr 22, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations listed in this record.

Apr 11, 2025 Canvass

• 36.THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATEInspector comment: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE CHEESE REFRIGERATION UNIT LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE ACCURATE,WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE SAID COOLER.
• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 RODENT (RAT) DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR IN A CLUTTERED NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM AND BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZERS IN SAME AREA.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AFFECTED AREAS IN DETAIL.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A),CITATION ISSUED.
• 40.PERSONAL CLEANLINESSInspector comment: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDED HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
• 48.WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPSInspector comment: OBSERVED MISSING SINK STOPPERS FOR THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN 3 ADEQUATE WORKING SINK STOPPERS.
• 51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
• 55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
• 56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON THE CEILING VENTILATION COVER INSIDE THE EMPLOYEE UNISEX WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.

Aug 12, 2024 Canvass

• 1.PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIESInspector comment: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE.
• 2.CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATEInspector comment: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE (TCS FOODS)PUPUSAS,CHICKEN TAMALES,BEEF ETC. IS BEING PREPARED/SERVED.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE,THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED,HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED.
• 10.ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLEInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK NEXT TO THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
• 37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: OBSERVED BROKEN DAMAGED WEATHERSTRIP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS STORED ON SHELF ABOVE THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

Oct 5, 2023 Canvass Re-Inspection

• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: 4-101.19 OBSERVED RUSTED RACKS IN 2-DOOR PREP COOLER AND SHELVING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE OR REPAINT RACKS.

Oct 3, 2023 Canvass

• 22.PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURESInspector comment: OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS HELD AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 44-51 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED: 1 POUND TAMALES, 1 GALLON SOUP, 5 POUNDS CHICKEN, 7 POUNDS BEEF, AND 10 POUNDS OF RICE ($300). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
• 33.PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROLInspector comment: OBSERVED 2-DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 47 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED RUSTED RACKS IN 2-DOOR PREP COOLER AND SHELVING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE OR REPAINT RACKS.
• 52.SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSEDInspector comment: OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT DRAINS, ANOTHER ONE FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED

May 23, 2022 Canvass

• 36.THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATEInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
• 37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT ETC)
• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR.
• 43.IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STOREDInspector comment: FOUND ICE COOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO TRANSFER FOOD PRODUCTS (TOMATO PASTE) FROM AN OPEN ORIGINAL CAN CONTAINER INTO FOOD GRADE CONTAINER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE.
• 47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVINGS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.
• 51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE MISSING AT MOPSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

Mar 18, 2021 Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations listed in this record.

Mar 10, 2021 Canvass

• 38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: PREMISES DOES NOT HAVE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LOG BOOK FROM AN IDPH LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY WITH A CURRENT PEST INSPECTION REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
• 40.PERSONAL CLEANLINESSInspector comment: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.