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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

Oct 23, 2025 — Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

No certified food manager present during inspection; rodent entry points and missing pest control records found.

Key Findings

  • No certified food manager was on site when the inspection began, which is required at all times during operation.
  • Front and rear doors are not rodent-proof at the bottom; pest control service records are missing.
  • Tongs stored on wiping cloths above the sink and serving spoons not properly inverted.
  • Water knobs on three-compartment sink and handwashing sink not functioning; three sink stoppers missing; cold holding units and food prep shelves need cleaning.

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

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Violation code #2 — CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector's Notes:

UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE BEFORE THE END OF THE WALK-THROUGH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED

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

OBSERVED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF AND MAINTAIN.

Viewing inspection from Oct 23, 2025 · Show current spotlight →

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 — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

13 violations
Nov 6, 2025Pass

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

Oct 23, 2025FailVIEWING NOW

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

12 violations