IsTheKitchenClean?
HomeยทBlogยทAboutยทContact

Inspections by Neighborhood

  • Lincoln Park
  • Lakeview
  • West Loop
  • Gold Coast
  • Old Town
  • Wrigleyville
  • River North
  • Wicker Park
  • Logan Square
  • Bucktown
  • Fulton Market
  • Streeterville
  • The Loop
  • Andersonville
  • Pilsen
  • Hyde Park
  • Chinatown
  • North Side
  • Northwest Side
  • West Side
  • South Loop
  • South Side
  • Southwest Side
  • Far South Side

Inspections by Violation

  • Rodents
  • Roaches
  • Mold
  • Sewage
  • Temperature
  • Chemical
  • Expired Food
  • Sanitation

IsTheKitchenClean displays publicly available food inspection data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Trending rankings and summaries are automated interpretations of that data and are not official health department assessments. Inspection findings reflect conditions at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at a restaurant.

Lito's Tamales

Restaurant

4242 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Northwest Side

Nov 6, 2023 โ€” License re-inspection

Pass

A follow-up to confirm license-inspection violations were fixed.

Gaps at door entrances and unsecured openings created pest access risks throughout the facility.

Key Findings

  • Openings on westside and base of front entrance door were left unsealed, allowing potential pest entry.
  • Non-food items stored directly on floors in unused walk-in coolers in backyard; need 6-inch elevation and proper shelving.
  • Food debris accumulated inside all three refrigeration units in kitchen and required detailed cleaning.
  • Multiple facility maintenance issues: holes around electrical outlets in dining area, stained ceiling tiles in washroom, cracked/missing floor tiles in kitchen, and damaged wall near register.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

Was this report useful? Get an alert when this restaurant fails again, tell people what happened to you, or send the link to someone.

Be specific. Keep it to what you saw or experienced.

Loading discussion...

Violation code #38 โ€” INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS ON WESTSIDE AND BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

Violation code #47 โ€” FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector's Notes:

4-101.19: OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR OF UNUSED WALKIN COLD HOLDING UNITS IN BACKYARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHEVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.

Viewing inspection from Nov 6, 2023 ยท Show current spotlight โ†’

Inspection History

Lito's Tamales has had 7 inspections in the last 5 years with a 50% pass rate. Last inspection was on Jul 27, 2026.

Standout inspection
Jul 27, 2026Fail

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

13 violations
Nov 6, 2025Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

Oct 23, 2025Fail

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

12 violations
May 14, 2024Conditional

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

14 violations
Nov 6, 2023PassVIEWING NOW

License Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm license-inspection violations were fixed.

9 violations
Standout inspection
Oct 30, 2023Fail

License โ€” Required before the city issues a business license.

14 violations
Oct 19, 2023No Entry

License โ€” Required before the city issues a business license.