TAQUERIA.
3233 W CERMAK RD · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO
Failed 3 of 12 inspections. 11 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
APR 62017PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 3-30-17 REPORT #2009556 #22 NO CHEMICAL STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST SANITIZING WATER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090 MANAGER ARRIVED FROM STORE WITH TEST STRIPS.
NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PERSON ON SITE WITH CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. BEANS 156.3 DEGREES, BEEF 38.5 DEGREES INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
RUBBER GASKETS NEEDED AT FRONT REACH IN COOLER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
LEAK AT FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
MAR 302017FAILED9 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
EMPLOYEE USING BARE HAND TO COOK AND SERVE ALL READY TO EAT FOODS. NO GLOVES ON SITE. EMPLOYEE PURCHASED GLOVES CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010 (A)
FOUND NO PAPER TOWELS AT BATHROOM HANDBOWL TO PROPERLY DRY HANDS AFTER WASHING. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO PROVIDE. CRRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
NO GARBAGE DUMPSTER ON SITE TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF GARBAGE. EMPLOYEE STATES HE LEAVES GARBAGE IN THE ALLEY. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYE TO PROVIDE ENCLOSED METAL CONTAINER TO DISPOSE OF GARBAGE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PERSON ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD PRODUCTS. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO ENROLL IN SANITATION CLASS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST SANITIZING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED FOR CUSTOMERS TO VIEW. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO LEAVE POSTED NONCOMPLIANCE SUMMARY FOR ALL CUSTOMERS TO VIEW. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
RUBBER GASKETS NEEDED AT FRONT REACH IN COOLER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
LEAK AT FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
JUN 272016PASSED1 violationDETAILS
NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN DRAIN BOARD AND 1 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK. MUST PROPERLY INSTALL WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD.
JUN 22016FAILED9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM AND A SOAP BOTTLE WITH ONLY WATER INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PAPER TOWELS AND ADEQUATE SOAP IN THE WASHROOM AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE BOUGHT SOAP AND REPLACED PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM DURING RE-INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
OBSERVED PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1931633 DATED ON MAY 26, 2016; 18-GAP FOUND ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR DOOR LEADING INTO A CAR STORAGE FACILITY GREATER THAN 1/4 INCH, MUST REPAIR MAKING IT TIGHT-FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. 4 LARGE FLIES OBSERVED ON PREMISES IN REAR NEAR WASHROOM AND IN DINING ROOM. MUST ELIMINATE FLIES FROM PREMISES. 19-NO COMMERCIAL GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. MUST CONTACT COMPANY AND REQUEST A REPLACEMENT. 22-NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHLORINE TEST KIT. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090.
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, PORK) ARE BEING HANDLED, PREPPED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES IN DINING ROOM. CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS AND IN CORNERS.
MUST CLEAN AND RE-PAINT ALL WALLS THROUGHOUT WHERE STAINS AND CHIPPED SURFACES ARE PRESENT. CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS FROM ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT. CLEAN, PAINT OR REPLACE ALL UNCLEAN CEILING TILES THOUGH OUT. ACCUMULATED DUST ON WALL/CEILING VENT COVERS. MUST CLEAN ALL VENT COVERS.
CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH 1 COMPARTMENT SINK AND GREASE TRAP IN FLOOR. REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET AT 1 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES TO PROPERLY TAKE TEMPERATURES OF ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED PROPANE TANKS BEING USED FOR GRILL LOCATED AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PROPANE TANKS. FREEZER IN REAR CAR GARAGE. MUST MOVE INTO RESTAURANT SPACE.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.
MAY 262016FAILED7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PICK UP HAM WITH BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO USE GLOVES, WHITE TISSUE PAPER, TONGS OR UTENSILS WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A)
GAP FOUND ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR DOOR LEADING INTO A CAR STORAGE FACILITY GREATER THAN 1/4 INCH, MUST REPAIR MAKING IT TIGHT-FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. 4 LARGE FLIES OBSERVED ON PREMISES IN REAR NEAR WASHROOM AND IN DINING ROOM. MUST ELIMINATE FLIES FROM PREMISES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
NO COMMERCIAL GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA, MGR STATES THE DUMPSTER WAS STOLEN OVER A WEEK AGO. MUST CONTACT COMPANY AND REQUEST A REPLACEMENT. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON PREMISES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES IN DINING ROOM. CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS AND IN CORNERS.
MUST CLEAN AND RE-PAINT ALL WALLS THROUGHOUT WHERE STAINS AND CHIPPED SURFACES ARE PRESENT. CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS FROM ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT. CLEAN, PAINT OR REPLACE ALL UNCLEAN CEILING TILES THOUGH OUT.
CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH 1 COMPARTMENT SINK AND GREASE TRAP IN FLOOR. REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET AT 1 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.
show all 12 inspections →
AUG 142015PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD IN REFRIGERATOR AND IN PREP COOLER NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A LINER IN THE MICROWAVE, REFRIGERATOR, AND ON SHELVING IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND NOT USE CARDBOARD IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
OBSERVED KNIFE RACK, LOCATED NEXT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS. OBSERVED MICROWAVE IN NEED OF MINOR CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED CEILINGS AROUND VENTS THRU OUT PREMISES WITH ACCUMULATED DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.
NOV 102014PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SOURCE OF CROSS CONTAMINATION NOT CONTROLLED, OBSERVED READY TO EAT CILANTRO (USED FOR CONDIMENTS ON TACOS) TOUCHING AND STORED IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO RAW BEEF THAT IS UNCOVERED. VISIBLE SIGHS OF RAW JUICES ON CILANTRO. CILANTRO DISPOSED OF AND DENTATURED APPROX 5 LBS, $10 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL
FLOOR IN CORNERS UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
STOCK ON FLOOR. ELEVATE SAME 6 INCHES.
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN FOOD PREP AREA, ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO USE TOILET ROOM WHICH IS IN REAR AND HAVE TO WALK THRU PREP AREAS TO ENTER.
JAN 72014PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAME.
TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME.
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. REPAIR SAME.
MAR 112013PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD STORED IN THE COOLER IS NOT LABELED, DATED OR ORGANIZED PROPERLY, INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT ON PROPER FOOD LABELING AND STORAGE.
NO SANITIZING WIPES SET UP, INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT ON HOW TO SET UP A SANITIZING RINSE AT THIS TIME.
MAR 12012PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. CLEAN CUTTING BOARDS, INTERIORS OF COOLERS AND REPAIR OR REPLACE RUBBER GASKET OF TWO DOOR COOLER IN REAR KITCHEN WHERE LOOSE TO AVOID ESCAPING AIR.
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CLEAN MINI VENTS IN HOODED AREA ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND LIGHT SHIELD UNDER VENT.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TURNED OFF AT ONE COMP PREP SINK DUE TO LEAKAGE; REPAIR LEAK AND RESTORE WATER.
FOOD HANDLER MUST WEAR APPROPRIATE ATTIRE: HAIR RESTRAINT AND APRON AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING HANDLED AND PREPARED.
JAN 42011PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
All food establishments shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure properly connected to the city water supply.OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER ON SITE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK,HAND SINKS IN PREP AREAS WHILE PREMISES IS OPENED & OPERATING AT THIS TIME.MUST PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER AT ALL TIMES.HOT WATER HAS BEEN RESTORED AT THIS TIME.
When toilet and lavatory facilities are provided for the patrons of food establishments, such facilities shall be adequate in number, convenient, accessible, properly designed, and installed according to the municipal code.OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HAND SINKS IN TOILET ROOM.MUST PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER AT SINKS AT ALL TIMES.HOT RUNNING WATER HAS BEEN RESTORED AT THIS TIME AT HAND SINKS.
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN WINDOW SILLS,FILTERS AT HOOD,GRILL TABLE,PIPES OF EQUIPMENT.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.MUST CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT.
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SCRAPE & PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS & WINDOW SILLS THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR SWEEP ON REAR DOOR.
All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.OBSERVED COOLER,PAPER GOODS IN REAR CAR REPAIR GARAGE MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE BARRIER FOR FOOD PROTECTION.
APR 12010PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL PREP FOODS IN STORAGE COOLER.
All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE; COOLERS, GRILLS, BOTTOM PANELS OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MOP SINK.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS UNDER EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALL.
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPLACE MISSING WALL TILE AT REAR PREP AREA UNDER EXPOSED SINK, AND CLEAN HOOD/FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
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 →