What is L' Mero Mole's health inspection score?

L' Mero Mole has a SafeDine safety score of 77 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was L' Mero Mole last inspected?

L' Mero Mole was last inspected on April 1, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does L' Mero Mole have?

L' Mero Mole has 17 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is L' Mero Mole safe to eat at?

L' Mero Mole has a good safety record with a score of 77/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does L' Mero Mole serve?

L' Mero Mole serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

L' Mero Mole

Name: L' Mero Mole
Address: 3661-3665 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago, 60618
Rating: 77

3661-3665 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 12mo ago

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0Good

American•North Center

Ranked #318 of 551 in North CenterBetter than 17% of american restaurants

Declining

6 inspections

Last: Apr 1, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

33%

Clean Rate

2.8

Avg Violations

12 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-19

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-6 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-9 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 81/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (77/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

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

3661-3665 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago, IL 60618

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Violation Timeline

Apr 2022

1 inspections

3 basic

Apr

May 2023

2 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

5 basic

Oct 2024

2 inspections

3 basic

Oct

Apr 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

Inspection History

6 records on file

3 Canvass1 Non-Inspection1 Canvass Re-Inspection1 License

Apr 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED BEHIND FRONT BAR AND IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAIN ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRCUTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR UNDERNATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TH EPRSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.

Base deductions−16 pts

Oct 24

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE ON ICE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDER. ALSO NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZERS AT THE BASEMENT FOOR PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
NOTED LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM PIPE OF THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. NOTED SPRAYER AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK HANGING BELOW THE RIM OF THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE DEVICE TO HOLD THE SPRAYER ABOVE THE WATER RIM OF THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK.

Base deductions−6 pts

Oct 24

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

May 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

May 23

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High1 Med5 Basic

7 total

75/100inspection score

−25 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE (IN THE BASEMENT) AT IMPROPER FINAL SANITIZING RINSE AT 0 PPM CHLORINE CONCENTRATION. DISHMACHINE NOT IN USE AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FIX AND MAINTAIN. A MECHANICAL DISHWASHING MACHINES SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 ? 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE). DISHMACHINE TAGGED ?HELD FOR INSPECTION?. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED (SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Basic (5)

−10 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND REACH-IN COOLER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOOSE FAUCET AT HANDSINK BEHIND THE BAR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
NOTED MISSING WALL TILE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR REPLACE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO REORGANIZE REAR STORAGE CLOSET (NEXT TO MEN'S WASHROOM). MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FRO INSPECTION REPORT# 2554807 ISSUED ON 04-26-2022 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED #51 - BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. #51 - OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN KITCHEN.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN

Base deductions−25 pts

Apr 22

License InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 3 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN KITCHEN.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−6 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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