What is EL Azteca's health inspection score?

EL Azteca has a SafeDine safety score of 88 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 Azteca last inspected?

EL Azteca was last inspected on March 17, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does EL Azteca have?

EL Azteca has 23 total violations across 9 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is EL Azteca safe to eat at?

Yes, EL Azteca has an excellent safety record with a score of 88/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does EL Azteca serve?

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

Official Health Record

EL Azteca

Name: EL Azteca
Address: 4154-4158 W ARMITAGE AVE, Chicago, 60639
Rating: 88

4154-4158 W ARMITAGE AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 3/17/2026

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0Excellent

American•Belmont Cragin

Ranked #36 of 69 in Belmont CraginBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Stable

7 inspections

Last: Mar 17, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

3.3

Avg Violations

3 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

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Food labeling

Food not properly labeled or dated

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-22

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-15 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-0 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-3 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 78/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (88/100) 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

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4154-4158 W ARMITAGE AVE, Chicago, IL 60639

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

1 inspections

6 basic

Jun

Jan 2023

1 inspections

3 basic

Jan 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

1 basic

Jan

Apr 2025

2 inspections

3 high priority

2 intermediate

Mar 2026

2 inspections

7 intermediate

Mar

Inspection History

7 records on file

1 Short Form Complaint5 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 26

Short Form Complaint InspectionLatestPass with Conditions

3 Med

3 total

85/100inspection score

−15 pts

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−5
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−5

Base deductions−15 pts

Mar 26

Canvass InspectionPass

4 Med

4 total

80/100inspection score

−20 pts

Intermediate (4)

−20 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−5
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−5
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−5
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−5

Base deductions−20 pts

Apr 25

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionFail

1 High1 Med

2 total

85/100inspection score

−15 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISH WASHING AREA IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS ACCESSIBLE TO THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AREA.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c). NO CITATION

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SPICES OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL FOOD INGRIDIENT CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS NAME.

Base deductions−15 pts

Apr 25

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High1 Med

3 total

75/100inspection score

−25 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISH WASHING AREA IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS ACCESSIBLE TO THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AREA.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c). NO CITATION
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK INACCESSIBLE AT THE BAR AREA IN OPERABLE DUE TO IT BEING DISCONNECTED DUE TO REPAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c)CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SPICES OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL FOOD INGRIDIENT CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS NAME.

Base deductions−25 pts

Jan 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med1 Basic

2 total

93/100inspection score

−7 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SOME ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

Base deductions−7 pts

Jan 23

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

44UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED−2
OBSERVED WET FOOD CONTAINERS STACKED ON DRY RACK AFTER WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZING. MUST AIR DRY EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS BEFORE CONTACT WITH FOOD.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED WATER DRIPPING FROM PIPE (RIGHT SIDE) BELOW 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER IS DRAINING. MUST REPAIR LEAK.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FROM ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionPass

6 Basic

6 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

Basic (6)

−12 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
FOUND HEAVY RUST BUILD UP ON THE SHELVES INSIDE THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE RUSTED WIRE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED FROZEN FISH STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE GROCERY BAGS IN THE CHEST FREEZER ON THE COOKS LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
FOUND HEAVY ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE LEFT CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
NOTED A LEAK COMING FROM THE LEFT FAUCET AND FAUCET BASE ON THE DISH AREA THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND PLASTIC BEING USED TO PLUG THE DRAINS AT THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE PLASTIC AND PROVIDE WORKING DRAIN PLUGS.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE (WASTE CAN WITH LID) INSIDE THE BASEMENT UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

Base deductions−12 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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