Carmelo's Taco Place

Chicago Health Dept

2746 W 59TH ST · CHICAGO LAWN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Aug 2026), 1 critical violation noted.

8 inspections on record since 2019 · Last inspected Aug 2026 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

AUG 2026

Inspection history

AUG 6

2026

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

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.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

JUL 1

2025

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Employee Hygiene

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

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

MAY 13

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Documentation & Training

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

Minor Sanitation

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

AUG 16

2023

PASS · 0 violations

AUG 9

2023

FAIL 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

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.

Minor Other

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.

show all 8 inspections →

JAN 5

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 12 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

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)

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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

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

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

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

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN WOMEN TOILETROOM.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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

Minor Other

MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

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

OCT 4

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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)

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

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

Serious Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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.

MAR 15

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Other

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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