El Taconazo Express

Year by year

Inspections

1. Feb 4, 2026 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

     OBSERVED APPROXIMATLEY 60 LBS COOKED CHICKEN AS WELL AS 40 LBS COOKED STEAK STORED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER WITHOUT LABELS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DISCARD DATE LABELS ON TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETER INSDIE COLD HOLD UNIT WITH TWO DOOR ATTACHED IN FRONT OF SERVICE WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

     OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE CHLORINE SOLUTION @ AT LEAST 50PPM IN BETWEEN USES.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED UPRIGHT COOLER NEXT TO PREP TABLE AS WELL AS 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED NEAR SERVICE WINDOW WITH RIPPED GASKETS WITH BUILT UP FOOD DEBRIS. NOTED COLD HOLD UNIT EQUIPMENT LID HELD TOGETHER WITH STRING.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AS REQUIRED.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED FRONT SERVICE AREA COUNTER AS WELL AS NON FOOD STORAGE/ OFFICE SPACE ATTACHED TO DINING AREA WITH EXCESSIVE CLUTTER, OLD EQUIPMENT, MISCELLANEUS ITEMS STORED ON FLOORS. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR, MUST MAINTAIN PREMISE

2. May 28, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

3. May 23, 2025 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Serious Priority

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT IN PREP TO BE IMPROPER: BREADED CHICKEN BREAST 48.7F, PICADILLO 47.9F, ASADA STEAK CUT 48.8F, CARNITAS 48.5F, RICE 47.4F, PORK CHOP 49.4F, EGGS AT 48.7F, AND PREPARED CHICKEN TACO MEAT 50.2F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 25 LBS OF AFFECTED PRODUCTS, VALUED AT $295.00, UTILIZING A DENATURING PROCESS TO PREVENT CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Serious Priority

     PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

     NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 50.8F IN PREP AREA. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER, AND REACH IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD, TINFOIL, OR PLASTIC WRAP FOR LINER ON ANY SHELVING OR EQUIPMENT. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN COOKING AREA AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS, LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

4. Feb 3, 2025 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

5. Jan 17, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     FOUND HAND SINK NEXT TO ICE MACHINE LOOSE.MUST FASTEN PROPERLY TO WALL.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN INSIDE STORAGE AREAS AND INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.MUST CLEAN.

6. Jul 14, 2023 Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

7. Jul 7, 2023 Complaint · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     OBSERVED PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR SHIELD OF ICE MACHINE, ICE IN MACHINE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ICE DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated Corrected on site

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

     OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE INVERTED ICE SCOOP IN CONTAINER ON EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. CORRECTED ON SITE.ICE SCOOP CLEAN, SANITIZED AND STORED INVERTED IN CONTAINER ON EXTERIOR TOP OF ICE MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED NO FILTERS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

8. Jan 12, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     2-DOOR PREP COOLER (ACROSS FROM HOT COOKING LINE) RIGHT SIDE DOOR RUBBER GASKET RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DAMAGED DOOR GASKET.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.

9. Oct 25, 2022 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO A VOMIT OR DIARRHEAL EVENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     REMOVE HANGING FLY STRIPS FROM THE CEILING IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     CLEAN THE WALLS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA AND THE FLOORS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

10. Mar 25, 2022 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

11. Mar 18, 2022 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

      OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED BY A STATEMENT BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT STATING THAT "THESE ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      MUST INSTALL A WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

12. Jul 13, 2021 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLER UPPER PORTION AROUND CORNERS ALSO OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP ON PREP AREA SHELVES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL COLD WATER HANDLE STRIPPED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/MAINTAIN SAID COLD WATER HANDLE.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      FLOOR CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT OFFICE. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.

13. Nov 17, 2020 License Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

14. Nov 6, 2020 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

      OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

      MUST INSTALL DEDICATED, EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO COOKING LINE, PREP COOLERS, AND SERVICE WINDOW IN PREP AREA. HAND SINK MUST HAVE PLUMBED HOT/COLD WATER, SOAP/PAPER TOWELS AND SIGNAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

    • Serious Priority

      PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

      OBSERVED REFRIGERATION AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. FOUND 4 DRAWER COOLER WITH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 56.4F. FOUND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE WALK IN COOLER @ 43.5F. ALL REFRIGERATION MUST BE AT 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

    • Severity not stated

      ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

      MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.