SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

CASCABEL TACO JOINT.

EAT. 84/100

2943 W IRVING PARK RD · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected February 9, 2026 · passed

6 of 9 inspections passed, with 3 critical violations on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
9
6 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
27
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
6 YEARS
since Oct 2019

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 9
2026
PASSED
5 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility 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.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATED ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORDocumentation & 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 KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SIT AT ALL TIMES.

MAR 6
2025
PASSED
0 violations
JUL 15
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALOther
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.

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORPest 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.

SERIOUSEmployee 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 WARE PIPE IS OPEN IT FLOODS THE WHOLE KITCHEN/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DISCONNECT PIPE AND PROVIDE COLD RUNNING WATER INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAND HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK AT ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY #7-38-030(C).5-205.11. NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIRS WITH MISSING KNOB AT THE HOT WATER FAUCET(WATER THEREFORE TURNED OFF).INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAND HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK AT ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY #7-38-030(C).

JUL 18
2023
PASSED
6 violations
DETAILS
MINOROther
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND REORGANIZE FRONT AND REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

MINORDocumentation & 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.

SEP 13
2022
PASSED
0 violations
show all 9 inspections →
SEP 6
2022
FAILED
2 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSOther
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 RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

MINORPest 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.

DEC 6
2021
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

OCT 20
2020
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER BY REAR BACK DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS AND CLEAN AREA.

MINORSanitation
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.

OCT 8
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & 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.

CRITICALSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON 4-DOOR REACH IN COOLER CONDENSER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS CONDENSERS.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING STOPPERS (X2). INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

MINORPlumbing & 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.

MINORDocumentation & 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. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

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