Taqueria LA Ciudad Inc

Chicago Health Dept

5005 S ASHLAND AVE · BACK OF THE YARDS, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2021.

7 inspections on record since 2017 · Last inspected Apr 2021.

Last inspected Apr 2021. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

APR 2021

Inspection history

APR 22

2021

PASS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSEREVD AN APPX. "3/4-1" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS & MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON 3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED AN MASSIVE AMOUNT OF UNUSED EQUIPMENT ON REAR PORCH.RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL OUTLET COVER & WALL TILE NEAR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST SEAL GAP BETWEEN WALL BASE AND FLOOR IN DINING AREA NEAR COOLERS.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 10

2019

PASS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED FRONT DOOR WITH AN APPROXIMATE 1 1/2" GAP AT THE BOTTOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TIGHT SEAL TO PROTECT FROM PESTS AND RODENTS. OBSERVED FRONT WINDOW BROKEN WITH GLASS MISSING AND NO SCREEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNFINISHED DRYWALL BEHIND THE TOILET AND THE HAND WASHING SINK STORAGE AREA IN DISREPAIR IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED UNUSED BROKEN EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL ITEMS ON SITE AND IN THE OUTDOOR BACK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN

OCT 2

2019

FAIL 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

FOUND TCS FOOD(CHEESE) OUT OF TEMPERATURE(51.8F). TCS FOODS SHALL BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW.MANGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED 35LBS VALUED AT $65. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 75 SMALL BLACK FLIES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY(TOILET ROOMS, PREP AREA, DINING AREA, BACK STORAGE AREA)AND APPROXIMATELY 15 MICE DROPPINGS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA BEHIND THE WHITE FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PREMISES SHALL BE MAINTAINED FREE OF PESTS AND RODENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(a)

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH WATER BACKING UP INTO THE SINK AND WATER LEAKING ONTO THE FLOOR FROM THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(c)

Minor Other

53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MAR 12

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 15 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING CLEANSER AT HAND WASH SINK IN PREP AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c)

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED (COOKED PORK, SHREDDED LETTUCE, SOUR CREAM) STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE PROPERLY LABELED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED WHITE BUCKETS WITHOUT PROPER LABELING. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE. SHALL USE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR STORING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED WHITE BUCKETS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS BEING STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO SANITIZING SOLUTIONS TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. A TEST KIT OR OTHER DEVICE THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Serious Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE SURFACES OF MULTIPLE COUNTERS AND SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED A LIGHT COVER MISSING FROM UNDER THE EXHAUST HOOD IN THE COOKING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

SEE VIOLATION 60

Minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE FOR ALLERGEN TRAINING. A CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED IN THE TIME FRAME SPECIFIED ON THE INSPECTION REPORT SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS A PRIORITY FOUNDATION ITEM. 7-42-090

OCT 16

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Must provide proof that all employees are aware of employee health policy. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Must provide written clean up policy for clean up of vomit and diarheal events. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Observed TCS foods in refrigeration without proper labels. Must label all TCS foods with discard date. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Observed light out in rear of prep area. Observed no proper lighting in 2 door cooler in rear of prep area. Must provide, repair and/or replace. Must provide adequate lighting for proper cleaning. Must maintain same.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

All Chicago food sanitation managers must provide proof of allergen training.

show all 7 inspections →

MAR 1

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

Observed exposed hand sink with hand sanitizer in place of soap. Instructed may not use hand sanitizer, unless hands have been washed with soap first. Instructed must keep soap (and sanitary means to dry hands) at hand sink at all times. Operator provided soap for exposed hand sink and removed hand sanitizer. Critical violation 7-38-030.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Observed all potentially hazardous foods and dry storage items without proper labels. Must label all potentially hazardous foods with name and prep date. Must label all dry storage items with name. Must maintain same.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Observed standing water in basement on floor. Must keep floors clean and dry. Observed excessive debris, dirt build up and clutter on floors under exposed hand sink and 3 compartment sink in prep area. Must remove all items and elevate at least 3 inches above the floors. Must detail clean and sanitize floors. Must maintains same.

Minor Sanitation

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

Observed food handler without proper hair restraint while handling food in prep area. Must provide proper hair restraints (hair nets, hats, etc.) for all employees while in food prep area. Must maintain same.

Minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

Must provide proof of food handler training for all food handling employees.

JAN 26

2017

PASS 6 violations

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT(PANS, POTS, CONTAINERS) AND UTENSILS(SPOONS, FORKS, KNIVES).

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

REMOVE ICE BUILDUP INSIDE PREP COOLER. PAINT SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

GROUT ALL LOOSE FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS IN WASHROOMS AND FAN GUARDS IN REACH-IN COOLERS.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON EXPOSED 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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