Taqueria LA Esmeralda

Chicago Health Dept

6310 N WESTERN AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2025.

8 inspections on record since 2020 · Last inspected Jan 2025.

Last inspected Jan 2025. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JAN 2025

Inspection history

JAN 24

2025

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.

Minor Pest Activity

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 22

2024

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM

MAR 11

2024

FAIL 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Sanitation

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.

Critical Pest Activity

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

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

MUST NOT STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARD ON THE BACK-SPLASH OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Facility Condition

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

KNIVE SARE STORED BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND WALL,MUST PROVIDE KNIFE RACK

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

Serious Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM

APR 11

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations

Serious Sanitation

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.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT MOP SINK FAUCET.MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.

Minor Documentation & Training

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 22

2022

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS/SPILLS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Documentation & Training

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.

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MAY 4

2021

PASS · 0 violations

APR 23

2021

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Serious Food Temperature

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.

Minor Food Temperature

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.

Minor Food Temperature

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.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 20

2020

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 10 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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)

Critical Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST PROVIDE BECK FLOW PREVENTION FOR UTILITY SINK FAUCET WITH HOSE ATTACHED

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR HOLES IN WALLS IN BASEMENT AREA ABOVE REACH IN COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Other

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.

Minor Other

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.

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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