Taco Max Mexican Grill

Chicago Health Dept

3402 W MONTROSE AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

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

9 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 28

2026

PASS 11 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR EMPLOYEE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED A FEW FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN KITCHEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS AT THE 2-DOOR TALL VEGETABLES REFRIGERATORS IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

Minor Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHIG AREA AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED CUSTOMER UNISEX WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR TO PREVENT ANY OBNOXIOUS ODORS.

Minor Sanitation

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 AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A FEW CRACKED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE FLOOR TILES. OBSERVED A BIG OPENING INTO CEILING IN THE BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN A GOOD REPAIR.

MAR 5

2025

PASS 5 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED BOXED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

SEP 20

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

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 Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN KITCHEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.

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.

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION# 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED WET FLOORS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

JUL 11

2023

PASS 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN THE DINING AREA.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR IN THE BASEMENT LEADING TO BUILDING OWNER STORAGE ROOM.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

(2) TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE MUST BE COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. COVER/LID

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/RACKS STORED IN BETWEEN COOLERS IN REAR AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHTBULB INSIDE PRODUCE REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.

AUG 1

2022

PASS · 0 violations

show all 9 inspections →

JUL 25

2022

FAIL 7 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK FRONT SERVICE/BEVERAGE AREA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.

Serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

FOUND CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS WRITTEN IMPROPERLY 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.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE SALSA PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYERS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE KITCHEN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.

SEP 22

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY BETWEEN 9:05AM-9:15AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN AND BEEF WERE BEING PREPARED. CERTIFIED MANAGER ADOLFO GARCIA ARRIVED ON SITE AT 9:15AM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE, GRIME, AND FOOD DEBRIS ON CAN OPENER AND INSIDE MICROWAVE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED 2 EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

NOV 9

2020

PASS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNS MISSING AT HAND SINKS THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTERS INSIDE OF MICROWAVE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE BATHROOM DOOR IN REAR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR TO PREVENT ANY OBNOXIOUS ODORS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CRATES AND CARD BOARD BOXES IN REAR OF ESTABLISHMENT. MUST REMOVE AND CLEAN AREA.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED MINOR GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT GREASE FROM DRIPPING ONTO FOOD.

NOV 8

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

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.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

3-COMPARTMENT SINK (BEHIND FRONT COUNTER) MISSING STOPPERS (X2). MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS FOR SAID 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

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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