Carmelo's Taco Place

Year by year

Inspections

1. Aug 6, 2026 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     OBSERVED DOOR TO REAR EXTERIOR WITH SPACE AT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR TO BE TIGHT FITTING.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     OBSERVED COOKED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN WALK IN COOLER UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO COVER FOOD TO PROTECT FROM POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION FROM PREMISES.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED BLACK MASKING TAPE USED TO REPAIR CHEST FREEZER IN PREP AREA(UPSTAIRS). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY REPAIR OR REPLACE.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED RUST ON SHELVING IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN AREA SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

2. Jul 1, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS (SALT, MAYONAISE, BUTTER AND SOUR CREAM). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF IN-USE UTENSILS STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE FOOD ITEMS IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USES.

   • Severity not stated

     GLOVES USED PROPERLY

     OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING/HANDLING FOOD ITEMS WITHOUT WEARING GLOVES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

3. May 13, 2024 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

     PIC WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE OR PROOF OF PENDING CERTIFICATION. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (STEAK, RICE, BEANS). INSTD TO HAVE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     NO HAND DRYING PROVISIONS AT ANY EXPOSED HANDWASH SINKS IN PREP AREAS AND BAR. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT SINKS BY END OF INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY FOUNDATION

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTD TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     WORN SEALANT ON BRICK WALL IN FEMALE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO RE SEAL SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE

4. Aug 16, 2023 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

5. Aug 9, 2023 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     OBSERVED THREE LIVE COCKROACHES ON SIDE OF WALK IN COOLER IN BASEMENT.ADVISED MANAGER ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

     NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2546173 CONDUCTED ON 1/05/2022. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED #51-MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING TOP ON BACKFLOW DEVICE AT MOP SINK. #58-NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

6. Jan 5, 2022 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     OBSERVED AN APPX. "2-3" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     OBSERVED OVERHEAD WASTE PIPES ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELF AND PREP AREA IN BASEMENT.MUST WRAP / COVER PIPES OR REMOVE FOOD ITEMS TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED CERAMIC/CLAY BOWLS AND CUPS USED FOR FOOD SERVICE APPEAR NOT TO BE LEAD FREE.MUST LIMIT USE TO PREVENT LEACHING.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE .MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS .

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET AND GRILL TABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING TOP ON BACKFLOW DEVICE AT MOP SINK.LEAKY FAUCET AT 1- COMP SINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN WOMEN TOILETROOM.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOORING IN WALK IN COOLER IN BASEMENT.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

     OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORD FOR FOLLOWING PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING PROOF OF VACCINATION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

7. Oct 4, 2021 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (STEAK, PORK,BEANS,ETC) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN MAIN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     OBSERVED EXCESSIVE PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON INSIDE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST REMOVE BUILD UP, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

8. Mar 15, 2019 License · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     FOUND NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIES NECESSARY FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE OR POSTERS AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO POST SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDERS MUST TAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND PROVIDE PROOF REQUIREMENT WAS MET.