What is EL Malecon's health inspection score?

EL Malecon has a SafeDine safety score of 71 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was EL Malecon last inspected?

EL Malecon was last inspected on February 24, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does EL Malecon have?

EL Malecon has 15 total violations across 4 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is EL Malecon safe to eat at?

EL Malecon has a good safety record with a score of 71/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does EL Malecon serve?

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

Official Health Record

EL Malecon

Name: EL Malecon
Address: 9706 S COMMERCIAL AVE, Chicago, 60617
Rating: 71

9706 S COMMERCIAL AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 2/24/2026

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0Good

American•Chicago

Ranked #876 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Declining

4 inspections

Last: Feb 24, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

25%

Clean Rate

3.8

Avg Violations

3 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Pest issuesHigh Priority

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Permit/documentationHigh Priority

Administrative or documentation issue

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-29

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-5 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-5 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-18 pts

Latest

100% weight

100

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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9706 S COMMERCIAL AVE, Chicago, IL 60617

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Violation Timeline

Apr 2024

1 inspections

2 high priority

3 basic

Apr

Jan 2025

1 inspections

2 high priority

1 basic

Feb 2026

2 inspections

2 high priority

2 intermediate

3 basic

Feb

Inspection History

4 records on file

2 Canvass1 Non-Inspection1 License

Feb 26

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

2 High2 Med3 Basic

7 total1 risk factor

59/100inspection score

−36 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
2-101.11 OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE POSTED NOR ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE AN ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
6-301.14 OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

28TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED−5
7-102.11 OBSERVED A CONTAINER OF A CHEMICAL OUT OF IT'S ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND IN A SPRAY BOTTLE HANGING BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT A LABEL CONTAINING THE CHEMICAL'S COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL BOTTLES THAT CONTAIN CHEMICAL WHEN THE CHEMICAL IS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING. MANAGER PROVIDED A LABEL FOR THE SPRAY BOTTLE DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-015.
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS INADEQUATELY LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE PRODUCT. OBSERVED A CONTAINER WITH THE LABEL "SAL" ON THE FRONT HOWEVER THE CONTAINER WAS A RICE STORAGE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS PROPERLY.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
4-301.13 OBSERVED A DRAINBOARD IS NEEDED AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-501.12 OBSERVED VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH MINOR ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
61SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC−2
8-304.11(A) OBSERVED THE MOST PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DATED 1/6/25 NOT POSTED FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW. AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION THE FACILITY HAD THE INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 4/25/24 POSTED. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS POST THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-010(B).

Base deductions−36 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Feb 26

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jan 25

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 High1 Basic

3 total2 risk factors

68/100inspection score

−22 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

1PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIESRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
OBSERVED CUP USED FOR DISPENSING RICE AND HANDLE OF SPOON LAYING INSIDE CONTAINER OF CEVICHE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LONG HANDLE DISPENSING UTENSILS AND STORE DISPENSING UTENSIL HANDLE ABOVE FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Base deductions−22 pts

Risk factor bonus (2× +5)−10 pts

Apr 24

License InspectionPass

2 High3 Basic

5 total

74/100inspection score

−26 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON TRUE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN PREP AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMs TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED GRILL IN REAR PREP AREA NOT UNDER VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PLACE GRILL UNDER VENTILATION HOOD OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

Base deductions−26 pts

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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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