What is Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar's health inspection score?

Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar has a SafeDine safety score of 88 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar last inspected?

Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar was last inspected on August 26, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar have?

Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar has 18 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar safe to eat at?

Yes, Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar has an excellent safety record with a score of 88/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar

Name: Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar
Address: 1538 N CLYBOURN AVE, Chicago, 60610
Rating: 88

1538 N CLYBOURN AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 7mo ago

▲Improving

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0Excellent

Old Town

Ranked #100 of 354 in Old Town

Improving

6 inspections

Last: Aug 26, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

17%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

8 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Temperature controlHigh Priority

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Food storage

Food not properly stored or protected

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-12

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-7 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-3 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+8 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

1538 N CLYBOURN AVE, Chicago, IL 60610

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Violation Timeline

Nov 2022

1 inspections

1 basic

Nov

Dec 2023

2 inspections

6 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

Jul 2024

1 inspections

2 basic

Jul

May 2025

1 inspections

2 high priority

2 basic

Aug 2025

1 inspections

1 basic

Aug

Inspection History

6 records on file

1 Complaint4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 25

Complaint InspectionLatestPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
4-901.12 NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT REAR PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

Base deductions−2 pts

May 25

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 High2 Basic

4 total

76/100inspection score

−24 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
NOTED NO SOAP AT THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEES PUT SOAP AT SOAP DISPENSER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ON THE FLOOR, DOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

Base deductions−24 pts

Jul 24

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTILATION FANS ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOMS TO REMOVE LIGHT DUST OBSERVED.

Base deductions−4 pts

Dec 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Dec 23

Canvass InspectionFail

6 High1 Med3 Basic

10 total

29/100inspection score

−71 pts

High Priority (6)

−60 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED WATER SPOUT FAUCET AT HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA IS BROKEN. FACILITY MUST REPAIR HANDSINK SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AT THE COOKLINE HANDSINK IS NOT PROVIDED. MANAGER PROVIDED WHILE ON SITE. SEE ABOVE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED DISHWARE STORED THE HANDSINK BLOCKING ACCESSIBILITY TO WASH HANDS IN THE BAR AREA. MANAGER RELOCATED WHILE ON SITE. SEE ABOVE PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE SODA GUN CAP HEAVILY SOILED WITH GUNK OF DIRT. FACILITY MUST WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE SODA CAP DISPENSER IN THE BAR AREA AND MAINTAIN.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE DRIP PLATE SOILED WITH PINK SLIME. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.
33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
THE METHOD OF COOLING COOKED FLAN IS INADEQUATE. FOOD MUST BE UNCOVERED DURING COOLING, IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION. MANAGER UNCOVERED WHILE ON SITE.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY OVER 25 SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS IN THE BACK DRY STORAGE AND DISH AREA. FACILITY MUST ELIMINATE SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS IN THE FACILITY USING PROPER PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A) CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
IN-USE WET/DAMP WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON COOKLINE/PREPLINE COUNTERS. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
EQUIPMENT (LARGE POTS) USED IN THE FACILITY IS TOO LARGE TO FIT AND FULLY IMMERSE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST INSTALL A LARGER 3COMPARTMENT SINKTHAT WILL ALLOW ALL EQUIPMENT TO BE IMMERSED, USE SMALLER EQUIPMENT THAT CAN FIT IN THE EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR USE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF MANUAL WAREWASHING APPROVED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
TEST KITS/ TEST STRIPS OR OTHER DEVICES IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES TO MEASURE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRATION.FACILITY MUST PROVIDE A TEST KIT OR OTHER MEASURING DEVICES FOR THE EMPLOYEES CAN MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AND AVOID A CONCENTRATION THAT IS TOO HIGH, WHICH CAN BE TOXIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−71 pts

Nov 22

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2511109 CONDUCTED ON 6/10/21. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED: (#39) OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED ON COOKS LINE NEXT TO STEAM WELL. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK TO PROTECT FOOD FROM MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED. COS.

Base deductions−2 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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