FEB 4
2026
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
MESON DEL TACO EXPRESS.
YOUR CALL. 72/100
7616 W BELMONT AVE · PORTAGE PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected February 4, 2026 · passed with conditions
5 of 10 inspections passed, 1 failed, 4 passed with conditions. 5 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
10
5 passed · 4 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
30
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
7 YEARS
since May 2018
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
OBSERVED RAW MEAT NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED RAW MEAT IN METAL PAN STORED INSIDE OPEN GARBAGE CAN IN PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. EMPLOYEE DISCARDED MEAT. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS COST $10.00. MUST PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
FEB 242025PASSED1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 24
2025
PASSED
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
OBSERVED GREASE ON OUTSIDE OIL TANK CONTAINER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 222024PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUL 22
2024
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN THAWING IN BUCKET WITH WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER CONTINOUS RUNNING WATER WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 70F OR BELOW OR IN ADEQUATE REFRIGERATION WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CARD BOARD BOXES STORED OUTSIDE BY REAR DOOR. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM PREMISES.
AUG 142023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
AUG 14
2023
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE,ACCURATE WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE THE PREP LINE COOLER AND AT REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE EXIT DOOR.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST RENEW ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
show all 10 inspections →
JUL 202022FAILED1 violationDETAILS
JUL 20
2022
FAILED
1 violationDETAILS
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
FOUND REMINDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS WRITTEN IMPROPERLY INSIDE MENU.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE MENUS WITH CORRECT REMINDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS.
MAR 232021PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 23
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) STORED IN (KITCHEN) REFRIGERATOR: COOKED CHICKEN INTERNAL TEMPERATURES (46.0 F-48.6 F).INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, (TCS FOODS) MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR BELOW AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135F.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.CORRECTED ON SITE (COS).
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN THE PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO LABEL ALL DESSERTS WITH COMMON NAME, NAME OF MANUFACTURER AND ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, ETC.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED REAR EXIT SCREEN DOOR WITH GAP/OPENING APPROX:1/4" AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE,INVERT POTS/PANS ON KITCHEN SHELF TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS MUST BE STORED WITH HANDLES-UP.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS SPILLAGE UNDER AND AROUND COOKING GRILL EQUIPMENTS.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
FEB 72020PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violationsDETAILS
FEB 7
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violationsDETAILS
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST IDENTIFY PRODUCT SHELF LIFE OR "CONSUME BY" DATING (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS/BINS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTH IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT EXTERIOR TOP SURFACES OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH GREASE ACCUMULATION UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE CLEANING EQUIPMENT (BROOMS, MOPS ETC) OFF THE FLOOR.
MAY 202019PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 20
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/KIT ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE AN EMPLOYEE POLICY /KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO EXPOSRD HANDSINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A EXPOSED HANDSINK NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CORE VIOLATION
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENU PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO FIND LOCATION OF BACKFLOW DEVICE IN ICE MACHINE OR INSTALL A BACKFLOW DEVICE. CORE VIOLATION
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELDS OVER FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT SHIELDS OVER LIGHTS. CORE VIOLATION
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE NO CERTFIED WITH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET THIS EMPLOYEE CERTIFIED IN FOODHANDLER TRAINING. CORE VIOLATION
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
THISESTABLISHMENT IS NOT ALLERGEN CERTIFIED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO BECOME ALLERGEN CERTIFIED. CORE VIOLATION
MAY 232018PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MAY 23
2018
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
OBSERVED FLOOR UNDER STAIRWELL CLOSET DIRTY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER STAIRWELL CLOSET
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED NO VENTILATION IN EMPLOYEES RESTROOM.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO IINSTALL VENTILTION FAN. OBSERVED NO MOPSINK ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A MOPSINK WITH BACKFLOW DEVICE AN IF INSTALLED NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK A SPLASHGUARD WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. OBSERVED NO DRAINBOARD AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A DRAIN BOARD AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 →