What is EL Mezquite Inc.'s health inspection score?

EL Mezquite Inc. has a SafeDine safety score of 86 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was EL Mezquite Inc. last inspected?

EL Mezquite Inc. was last inspected on November 19, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does EL Mezquite Inc. have?

EL Mezquite Inc. has 20 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is EL Mezquite Inc. safe to eat at?

Yes, EL Mezquite Inc. has an excellent safety record with a score of 86/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does EL Mezquite Inc. serve?

EL Mezquite Inc. serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

EL Mezquite Inc.

Name: EL Mezquite Inc.
Address: 1756 W 18TH ST, Chicago, 60608
Rating: 86

1756 W 18TH ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 11/19/2025

▲Improving

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0Excellent

American•Pilsen

Ranked #130 of 405 in PilsenBetter than 17% of american restaurants

Improving

5 inspections

Last: Nov 19, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

5 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-14

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-5 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-7 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+5 pts

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

1756 W 18TH ST, Chicago, IL 60608

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Violation Timeline

Aug 2022

1 inspections

1 high priority

4 basic

Aug

Oct 2023

1 inspections

2 high priority

1 basic

Oct 2024

1 inspections

3 intermediate

1 basic

Oct

Nov 2024

1 inspections

2 intermediate

1 basic

Nov 2025

1 inspections

5 basic

Nov

Inspection History

5 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
THE RACKS INSIDE THE REAR WALK IN COOLER HAS RUST ON THEM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN A SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANBLE, RUST FREE SURFACE.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
THE LOWER/SIDE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE REAR REACH IN FREEZER WITH STAINS, FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SURFACES.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
THERE IS A LEAK AT THE P-TRAP UNDER THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAK AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
WATER STAINED CEILING TILE ABOVE THE REAR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
THE CFM ON SITE FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE IS EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE.

Base deductions−10 pts

Nov 24

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

2 Med1 Basic

3 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-302.12 OBSERVED FOODS IN CONTAINERS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITHOUT A LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
6-202.15 OBSERVED SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT ADEQUATE MESH SCREENING TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN DOORS CLOSED AT ALL TIMES OR PROVIDE ADEQUATE MESH SCREENS WHILE OPENED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.

Base deductions−12 pts

Oct 24

Canvass InspectionFail

3 Med1 Basic

4 total

83/100inspection score

−17 pts

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-302.12 OBSERVED FOODS IN CONTAINERS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITHOUT A LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
6-501.111 OBSERVED ABOUT 15 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA ON THE WALL BY THE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE SMALL FLIES ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
6-202.15 OBSERVED FRONT AND REAR DOORS OPENED WITHOUT ADEQUATE MESH SCREENING TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN DOORS CLOSED AT ALL TIMES OR PROVIDE ADEQUATE MESH SCREENS WHILE OPENED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.

Base deductions−17 pts

Oct 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 High1 Basic

3 total

78/100inspection score

−22 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED DISHWASHER WASH AND RINSE DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ADEQUATELY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. USING A SANITIZING SOLUTION TO ADEQUATELY SANITIZE DISHES PER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTED TO SANITIZE DISHES.PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
FOUND ICE MACHINE WITH A MINIMAL BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
FOUND REAR PREP AREA LIGHT BULB BURNT OUT. MUST REPLACE

Base deductions−22 pts

Aug 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High4 Basic

5 total

82/100inspection score

−18 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
6-301.14 OBSERVED A HAND WASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK AND AT THE DINING ROOMM HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-501.114 OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR (TOOLS) AND CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNECESSARY CLUTTER AND ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
2-102.13 OBSERVED NO UP TO DATE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR MANAGERS (ALL MANAGERS ENROLLED IN A FOOD SAFETY MANAGER'S CLASS WITH RECEIPTS DATED 7/13/22 FROM KEYSTONE ENRICHMENT SERVICE). INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL MANAGERS.

Base deductions−18 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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