JAN 24
2025
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TAQUERIA LA ESMERALDA.
YOUR CALL. 61/100
6310 N WESTERN AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO
Last inspected January 24, 2025 · passed
4 of 8 inspections passed, 2 failed, 2 passed with conditions. 5 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
8
4 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
35
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Aug 2020
INSPECTION HISTORY
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS ON PREP AREA FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT/ALONG WALLS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SMALL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 222024PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAR 22
2024
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM
MAR 112024FAILED8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 11
2024
FAILED
8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE COMPARTMENTS NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP AND BIN). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
WE OBSERVED 6 BABY ROACHES COMING OUT FROM HANDLES OF HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA,WHEN HANDLES IS TURNED ON.ONE LIVE ADULT ROACH INSIDE THE FRAME OF HANDWASHING SIGN ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK(SAME SINK).TWO LIVE ADULT ROACHES IN BASEMENT BEHIND THE REACH-IN AND CHEST FREEZER. MUST REMOVE. CLEAN AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION :7-38-O20(A),CITATION ISSUED
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
MUST NOT STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARD ON THE BACK-SPLASH OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
KNIVE SARE STORED BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND WALL,MUST PROVIDE KNIFE RACK
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHROOM NOT MAINTAINED: FAUCET NOT REACHING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, ONLY MIDDLE COMPARTMENT NOT ABLE TO USE COMPARTMENT FOR WASH AND SANITIZE.FAUCET MUST REACH ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR :WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-025,CITATION ISSUED
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT OR CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVE AND DEEP FRYER WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM
APR 112023PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violationsDETAILS
APR 11
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violationsDETAILS
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
FOUND POTS TO LARGE TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE,AND SANITIZE INSIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE LARGE POTS.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT MOP SINK FAUCET.MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 6-22-22 INSPECTION# 2559715.VIOLATION 58.OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE COMPLETES ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND RECEIVES ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-42-090.MUST PROVIDE.
JUN 222022PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUN 22
2022
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FREEZERS LOCATED IN BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS TO STORE FOOD ITEMS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS/SPILLS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE COMPLETES ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND RECEIVES ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE.
show all 8 inspections →
APR 232021FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 23
2021
FAILED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010.
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED COOKED PORK AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 45.3F IN PREP COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED RED SALSA FOUND AT 47.7F, SHELLED EGGS FOUND AT 44.6F, AND PAPAS CHORIZO FOUND AT 44.7F IN PREP COOLER. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE FOOD. ALL FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 75 LBS AT A COST OF $125.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER AT 45.9F. PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS AT PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE. COOLER IS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING OF THREE BOXES OF BEEF STORED IN 1-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN REFRIGERATION AT 41.0F OR BELOW OR PLACE UNDER RUNNING WATER.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED WASTE WATER PIPE OVER SODA GLASS BOTTLES (JARRITOS) IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE SODA AWAY FROM WASTE WATER PIPE TO PREVENT DRIPPING ONTO ITEM. ANOTHER OPTION IS TO COVER AND PROTECT WASTE WATER PIPE.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 8/20/2020, REPORT #2386280. #51-MUST PROVIDE BECK FLOW PREVENTION FOR UTILITY SINK FAUCET WITH HOSE ATTACHED. #55-NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS. #57-OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT. #58-NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-42-090.
AUG 202020PASS W/ CONDITIONS10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 20
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED USE OF UNPROTECTED WOOD ON SHELVING USE TO RAISE ICE MACHINE. MUST USE SMOOTH EASY CLEANABLE MATERIALS FOR SHELVING IN FOOD STORAGE
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
MUST PROVIDE BECK FLOW PREVENTION FOR UTILITY SINK FAUCET WITH HOSE ATTACHED
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
NOTED CLUTTER OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REPAIR HOLES IN WALLS IN BASEMENT AREA ABOVE REACH IN COOLERS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THAT MOPS HAVE BEEN STORED ON FLOORS IN REAR AREA MUST PLACE MOPS OVER MOP SINK IN POSITION THAT CAN ALLOWS THEM AIR DRY WITH OUT SOILING WALLS AND FLOORS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES IN BASEMENT AREA, AND MUST CLEAN CEILING AND WALL CONNECTION FROM OLD SPIDER WEBS AND DUST IN SAME AREA
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
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 →