Esparza's Tacos

Year by year

Inspections

1. Aug 17, 2026 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON SHELVING IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED BUILD UP SPILLAGE ON INTERIOR OF COLD HOLD UNITS ON COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2. Nov 14, 2025 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

     OBSERVED FOOD ITEM THAWING IMPROPERLY SITTING IN STAGNANT WATER IN FOOD CONTAINER IN 3RD COMPARTMENT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH WASH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO THAW PROPERLY.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN WALK-IN COOLER, COLD HOLD UNITS/2 DR REFRIGERATORS AND PREP AREA COOLERS UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD GRADE LIDS AND/OR COVERS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

     OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR WHEN PREPARING FOOD.

   • Severity not stated

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     OBSERVED REAR HAND WASH SINK WITHOUT A WASTE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AND POST.

3. Jan 3, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT PREP AREA WARPED AND WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN

   • Severity not stated

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

     FOIL LINING ON STOVE AND STORAGE SHELVES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE FOIL SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     MISSING COVER FOR RECEPTACLE IN LADIES/UNISEX TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVER AND MAINTAIN.

4. Mar 7, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

     OBSERVED PERSONAL CARE ITEMS ON A SHELF ABOVE THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA

   • Severity not stated

     UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

     OBSERVED PLATES WERE NOT STORED INVERTED IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER TO STORE PLATES IN INVERTED POSITION AS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATION ON HOOD VENTILATION OVER THE GRILL AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR MALE FOOD HANDLER ON SITE. MUST OBTAIN AND PROVIDE PROOF OF TRAINING.

5. Aug 23, 2023 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES NOTED ON THE SHELVING IN THE FRONT COOK LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RAW WOOD SO THE SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.