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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

Jul 27, 2026 — Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

No hot water available at any sinks, and facility lacks required food safety certifications and health policies.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • No hot water at prep sink, hand sink, or 3-compartment sink—facility must fix water heating system immediately.
  • No certified food safety manager on premises; facility must have a current Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate posted at all times when handling ready-to-eat foods.
  • Missing written employee health policy and no procedures for cleaning up vomit or diarrheal events with proper norovirus-killing sanitizer.
  • Hand soap not stocked at prep area and employee restroom sinks; food stored in coolers and dry storage without proper name labels.

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 #50 — HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER ON PREMISES. HOT WATER WAS NOT OBSERVED AT THE FOLLOWING SINKS: PREP HANDSINK, WASHBOWL SINK, AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF HOT WATER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE PEAK HOT WATER DEMANDS THROUGH THE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Violation code #58 — ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

Viewing inspection from Jul 27, 2026 · 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, 2026FailVIEWING NOW

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, 2025Fail

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

12 violations