SEP 2
2025
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TACOS MONTANAS.
EAT. 81/100
3254 W LAWRENCE AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Last inspected September 2, 2025 · passed
4 of 7 inspections passed, with 3 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
4 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
29
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
5 YEARS
since Nov 2019
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
SOME INTERIOR AREAS OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE TO SECURE DOOR GASKETS ON THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR.---- MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
BASEBOARD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH BUMPY, UNEVEN SPRAY FOAM AND CARDBOARD AS SEALANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH CLEANABLE COVING ALONG THE BASEBOARD IN THE COOLER THROUGHOUT.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED ON THE REAR PATIO/WALKWAY MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
AUG 122024PASSED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 12
2024
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED APPROX: 1/4" INCH GAP OPENINGS AT BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS TO THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF BAR COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLED DEBRIS AND STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER TO REMOVE MOLD-LIKE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO THE BAR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
DEC 12023PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violationsDETAILS
DEC 1
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS REACH 107 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS WOULD REACH 100 F BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THERE IS CONSISTENT HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
JUN 282022PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
JUN 28
2022
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR SUGAR ETC)
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING AND TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. NO MILK CRATES.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. NOTED CLUTTER ON GROUND.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA IN A BAR AREA.
MAR 182021PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAR 18
2021
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
show all 7 inspections →
NOV 152019PASS W/ CONDITIONS1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 15
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,NO CITATION ISSUED.
NOV 52019FAILED12 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 5
2019
FAILED
12 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. FOUND TEMPERATURE OF WALK-IN-COOLER AT THE KITCHEN AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 48.2 F. MUST REPAIR MENTIONED COOLER AND MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F OR COLDER AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS TO REMOVE PEELING GREASE/DEBRIS AND REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON FAN COVER INSIDE THE WALK-N-COOLER AND TO MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
FOUND SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN MENS WASH ROOM.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK AREA. MUST INSTALL SO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FOUND HOLES ON WALL BEHIND THE TOILET IN MENS WASH ROOM AND ON WALLS UNDER HAND SINK CABINETS IN BOTH WASH ROOMS AND OPENINGS AROUND PIPES IN CEILING IN KITCHEN AREA AND ON WALL AROUND PLUMBING PIPES UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.MUST BE SEALED SHOWN TO MANAGER AT THIS TIME.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
EXPOSED BRICK WALLS IN STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO BAR AREA MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND SEAL ALL NOTICEABLE GAPS AND OPENINGS IN BETWEEN ALL MENTIONED BRICK WALL AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
FOUND DIM LIGHTING INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER AND BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB AT KITCHEN HOOD.MUST PROVIDE BRIGHTER BULB IN WALK-IN-COOLER AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
FOUND MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN MENS WASH ROOM NOT WORKING.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. - -
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY FOR CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE. -
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 →