SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

TACO PALATE.

BEAT. 36/100

1608 W NORTH AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected May 5, 2025 · passed with conditions

Failed an inspection 3 years ago. 11 critical violations on the cumulative record. Recent enough to matter.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
4
1 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
31
includes 11 critical
RECORDS COVER
2 YEARS
since Feb 2023

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 5
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
15 violations5 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)

CRITICALDocumentation & 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,RICE,SALSA)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SLOW DRAIN AT HAND SINK IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 2 LBS. COOKED STEAK AT 74.1°F ON TOPSIDE OF UNUSED GRILL. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR BELOW.APPX. 2LBS.$10.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT AND COOKED FOODS, SUCH AS 5 LBS. RED & GREEN SALSAS 47.8F-52.2F.2.5LBS. SOUR CREAM-59.0F.1LB. DICED TOMATO-45.5F.1LB. SHREED LETTUCE-53.6F.2LBS. COOKED PORK-51.4F.1.5LBS. COOKED CHIROZO-47.8F.1LB. COOKED CHICKEN-45.5F.5LBS. COOKED RICE-59.7F.15LBS. RAW BEEF STEAK-52.9F INSIDE OF FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER & REAR REFRIGERATOR. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX.34LBS. $300.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )(COS)

MINORFood Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 2-DOOR FRONT PREP COOLER AT 45.9F AND REAR REFRIGERATOR AT 60.9F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR SWEEP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST ELEVATE LARGE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS OFF OF FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.

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

MUST REMOVE RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM EXTERIOR & INTERIOR OF UNUSED GRILL,FRYER CABINET,UNUSED WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM TO HANG UP WET MOPS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN FLOOR IN HOT WATER TANK/FURNANCE ROOM,BROKEN AND DAMAGED WALL BASES IN PREP AREAS.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.

JAN 26
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE WASH HANDS WITH AT HAND WASHING SINK WITHOUT USING SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES WASH HANDS WITH SOAP. MANAGER INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO USE SOAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOUCH READY-TO-EAT TACOS WITH BARE HANDS TO ADJUST TACOS INSIDE TO-GO CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES DO NOT TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. THE MANAGER INSTRUCTED THE EMPLOYEE TO REMAKE TACOS WITH GLOVES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.

FEB 14
2023
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-602.11(A; B:1-4,6,7; C; D) OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF RICE AND BEANS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT.

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

4-202.15 OBSERVED A BUILD-UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME ON THE CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO THE REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13 OBSERVED 2 EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

FEB 7
2023
FAILED
8 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS BEEF WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF RICE AND BEANS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED PEST CONTROL PROVIDER, RECEIVE SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME ON THE CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO THE REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

SERIOUSSanitation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 →

NEARBY IN WICKER PARK