TAQUERIA LA MORENA.

Chicago Health Dept

4530 W AUGUSTA BLVD · HUMBOLDT PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (May 2025), 2 critical violations noted.

6 inspections on record since 2020 · Last inspected May 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAY 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 21

2025

PASS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15: OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND BARRIERS AT THE ORDER/PICK UP WINDOW, NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MENTIONED ENTRY POINTS.

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11: OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF A SPLASH GUARD DUE TO THE PREP TABLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C): OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

6-501.19: OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING LOCATED IN THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS BEHIND THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN MENTIONED FLOORS TO ELIMINATE FEED SITES FOR PEST.

MAY 14

2025

FAIL 9 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF COOKED BEEF (93.6°F), ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE PREP AREA. APPROXIMATELY 7 LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $37 WORTH OF PRODUCT. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD HOT TCS FOODS AT 135°F OR ABOVE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF RAW BEEF (53.1°F) INSIDE A REFRIGERATOR.APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS AT $68 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0°F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #21.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 60 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON SITE. MICE DROPPINGS WERE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING FLOORS: IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE CLOSET, BEHIND THE GARBAGE AND BEVERAGE UNITS IN THE DINING AREA, IN THE DISHWASHING AREA, IN THE HOT WATER TANK CLOSET, UNDER THE COLD HOLIDNG UNITS/ COOKING EQUIPMENT, NEAR THE HOST/HOSTESS COUNTER ACROSS FROM THE PREP AREA. THE FOLLOWING SURFACES HAD MICE DROPPINGS: THE LOWER SHELVES UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ON THE CANNED GOODS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND BARRIERS AT THE ORDER/PICK UP WINDOW, NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MENTIONED ENTRY POINTS.

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF A SPLASH GUARD DUE TO THE PREP TABLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING LOCATED IN THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOORS BEHIND THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN MENTIONED FLOORS TO ELIMINATE FEED SITES FOR PEST.

MAY 19

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT STORED IN PREP COOLER (AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F). FOUND INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING FOOD PRODUCTS. COOKED RICE AT 60.3F, PORK AT 49.0F INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135.0F. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATIONI 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOOD ITEMS COOKED RICE, COOKED PORK COOLER WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE LABELS (NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS) ON ALL FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN. MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

JUL 21

2022

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA UNDER THE TABLES AGAINST THE WALL WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED LOW LIGHTING IN THE FRONT STORAGE CLOSET (ORANGE DOOR) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LIGHTING.

AUG 2

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED ONE SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST READ AND SIGN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND KEEP VERIFIABLE COPIES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED SALT AND GARLIC POWDER ON SHELF NEAR PREP COOLER WITHOUT LABEL. ALL BULK FOOD INGREDIENTS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME IF NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK.

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FEB 28

2020

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 11 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT THE HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SIGN AT ALL HAND SINKS ON PREMISE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO BARRIER BETWEEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND DINING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A MINIUIM OF 60 INCHES HIGH BARRIER. OBSERVED THREE DOOR COOLER AND COFFEE STATION AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED REMOVE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A SERVICE/UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF DIRTY MOP WATER.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN UNISEX AND WOMEN'S WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESS CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE BACK STORAGE ROOM NEAR THE CASH RESGISTER. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN ALL CLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN AREAS AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD NOT LONG ENOUGH TO COVER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LENGTH OF VENTILATION HOOD.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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