What is EL Mercadito's health inspection score?

EL Mercadito 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 EL Mercadito last inspected?

EL Mercadito was last inspected on March 4, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does EL Mercadito have?

EL Mercadito has 15 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is EL Mercadito safe to eat at?

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

Official Health Record

EL Mercadito

Name: EL Mercadito
Address: 2815 N CENTRAL AVE, Chicago, 60634
Rating: 96

2815 N CENTRAL AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 3/4/2026

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0Excellent

Chicago

Ranked #240 of 1000 in Chicago

Improving

5 inspections

Last: Mar 4, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

20%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

3 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

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Other violationHigh Priority

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-4

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 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

+9 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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2815 N CENTRAL AVE, Chicago, IL 60634

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Violation Timeline

Nov 2022

1 inspections

2 basic

Nov

Sep 2023

1 inspections

1 high priority

2 intermediate

2 basic

Jul 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

4 basic

Jul

Mar 2025

1 inspections

3 basic

Mar 2026

1 inspections

Mar

Inspection History

5 records on file

5 Canvass

Mar 26

Canvass InspectionLatestCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Mar 25

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED OPEN COFFEE CUP WITHOUT A LID STORED ON PREP TABLE WHERE FOOD EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING LIMES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PERSONAL ITEMS AWAY FROM PREP AREAS AND CLEAN EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NEW CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 7/29/2024, REPORT #2598194. #57--OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jul 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High4 Basic

5 total

82/100inspection score

−18 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK IN STAFF TOILET ROOM IN REAR. HAND DRYER WAS BROKEN. MUST PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO DRY HANDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. EMPLOYEE PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
MUST PROVIDE LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MILK CRATES STORED BY OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM PREMISES.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 9/5/2023, REPORT #2581209. #58--OBSERVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE MISSING FOR ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−18 pts

Sep 23

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High2 Med2 Basic

5 total1 risk factor

71/100inspection score

−24 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED OPEN COFFEE CUP WITHOUT A LID STORED ON PREP TABLE NEXT TO RAW CHICKEN BEING SLICED BY EMPLOYEE. EMPLOYEE MAY DRINK FROM A CLOSED BEVERAGE IF THE CONTAINER IS HANDLED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EMPLOYEES HANDS, THE CONTAINER OR EXPOSED FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
INSTRUCTED TO LABEL BULK CONTAINER(SUGAR) WITH COMMON NAME TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED FLY STRIP HANGING OVER FOOD STORAGE AREA IN REAR. MUST REMOVE.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

52SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED−2
OBSERVED MINOR DEBRIS AND GREASE SPILLS ON TOP OF OUTSIDE OIL GREASE TANK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE MISSING FOR ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−24 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Nov 22

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND LOOSE HANDLE AT EMPLOYEE FAUCET.MUST REPAIR.

Base deductions−4 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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