What is Poncitlan #5's health inspection score?

Poncitlan #5 has a SafeDine safety score of 96 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Poncitlan #5 last inspected?

Poncitlan #5 was last inspected on January 15, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Poncitlan #5 have?

Poncitlan #5 has 18 total violations across 8 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Poncitlan #5 safe to eat at?

Yes, Poncitlan #5 has an excellent safety record with a score of 96/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does Poncitlan #5 serve?

Poncitlan #5 serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Poncitlan #5

Name: Poncitlan #5
Address: 3400 N CICERO AVE, Chicago, 60641
Rating: 96

3400 N CICERO AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 1/15/2026

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0Excellent

American•Chicago

Ranked #251 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Improving

8 inspections

Last: Jan 15, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

13%

Clean Rate

2.3

Avg Violations

4 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

Sanitation

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Food storage

Food not properly stored or protected

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-4

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-3 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+6 pts

100

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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3400 N CICERO AVE, Chicago, IL 60641

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Violation Timeline

Oct 2022

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 basic

Oct

Apr 2023

1 inspections

1 basic

Jul 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

1 basic

Jul

Mar 2025

1 inspections

5 basic

Jul 2025

1 inspections

2 basic

Jul

Jan 2026

3 inspections

6 basic

Inspection History

8 records on file

2 Complaint Re-Inspection2 Complaint4 Canvass

Jan 26

Complaint Re-Inspection InspectionLatestCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jan 26

Complaint Re-Inspection InspectionFail

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND TEMPERATURE AT 94-97.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE MAINTAINED AT LEAST 110.0F DURING ALL TIMES OF OPERATION TO PROPERLY WASH UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED 1 FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jan 26

Complaint InspectionFail

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND TEMPERATURE AT 99-100F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE AT LEAST 110.0F TO PROPERLY WASH UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jul 25

Complaint InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE INSIDE 2 DOOR FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO THAW AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED 2 OF 4 CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−4 pts

Mar 25

Canvass InspectionPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED TORTILLA CHIPS AT HEAT LAMP STATION STORED DIRECTLY BENEATH PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER AT THE FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE TORTILLA CHIPS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM SPLASH OR DRIP FROM FOOD EMPLOYEES WASHING HANDS AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD STORED OUTSIDE OF PROHIBITED AREAS.
41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SEVERAL WIPING CLOTH BUCKETS THROUGHOUT MAIN COOK LINE AREA STORED WITH WIPING CLOTHS IN STILL WATER WITHOUT ADEQUATE SANITIZER. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN WIPING CLOTHES IN AN ADEQUATE SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES OR MAINTAINED DRY.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH DUST AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AND OTHER FOOD EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED CLOSED EMPLOYEE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS STORED ABOVE MICROWAVE AT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EMPLOYEE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGE AND PERSONAL ITEM STORAGE THAT DOES NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION FOR FOOD, UTENSILS, OR CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE(S) ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW.

Base deductions−10 pts

Jul 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med1 Basic

2 total

93/100inspection score

−7 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SALT AND SUGAR OUT OF THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS IN PLASTIC INGREDIENT BINS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED BOXED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−7 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

Base deductions−2 pts

Oct 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High1 Basic

2 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED FOIL BEING USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Base deductions−12 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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