Cascabel Taco Joint
2943 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618 · North Center · Restaurant · High risk
Mostly clean — 6 of 9 passed, one prior failure
Last Inspected
2026-02-09
What You Should Know
✓ 5 consecutive passes, most recently 2026-02-09
⚠ Failed 1 inspection (2022)
⚠ Sanitation issues found across 13 inspections
⚠ Documentation & Training issues found across 4 inspections
→ Issues were corrected on re-inspection
Advertisement · 300×250
Types of Issues Found
📋 Documentation & Training critical 4×
🚰 Plumbing & Waste minor 2×
🔧 Facility Condition minor 1×
🧼 Employee Hygiene serious 1×
Inspection History
5 ▾
minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICEBUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACES OF CHEST FREEZER.
minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
minor Facility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAIR AND PROVIDE INTENSITY LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
minor Sanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATED ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND ...
▾
2024-07-15 Pass w/ Conditions Complaint CRITICAL 4 ▾
critical Other
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
minor Sanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
minor Pest Activity
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
serious Employee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISH WASHING/PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIRS.NO COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. WATER WAS TURNED OFF AT THE BASE CONNECTION BECAUSE OF ANOTHER CONNECTION ON THE SAME LINE FOR THE ICE MACHINE. WHEN THE COLD RUNNING ...
6 ▾
minor Other
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
minor Sanitation
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR IN FRONT AND IN REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
minor Sanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
INSTRUCTED TOREMOVE CARDBOARD LINER ON STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND INSIDE REFRIGERATOR.
minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH BLACK MOLD-LIKE BUILD UP INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER.
minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND REORGANIZE FRONT AND REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
FOUND EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
2022-09-13 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection ▾
2 ▾
serious Other
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
FOUND INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS WRITTEN ON THE MENUS.MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING...
minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO REAR EXIT DOOR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.
1 ▾
minor Sanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
3 ▾
minor Sanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED LARGE CUTTING BOARD IN PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CLUTTER BY REAR BACK DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS AND CLEAN AREA.
minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON VENT COVER LOCATED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WHERE POTS ARE BEING STORED ON SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
2019-10-08 Pass w/ Conditions License CRITICAL 6 ▾
critical Documentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
critical Sanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON 4-DOOR REACH IN COOLER CONDENSER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS CONDENSERS.
minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING STOPPERS (X2). INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
minor Documentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
NO EMPLOYEE FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE CERTIFICATES WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health ·
Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency.
· How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.