Taqueria Vargas

Chicago Health Dept

7152 N CALIFORNIA AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2019.

6 inspections on record since 2015 · Last inspected May 2019.

Last inspected May 2019. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS
6
VIOLATIONS
31
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
MAY 2019

Inspection history

MAY 22
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL
Critical Other
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO SUPPLIES/VOMIT SPILLKIT KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.

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

FOUND POTS NOT STORED PROPERLY.MUST STORE INVERTED ON SHELVING UNITS.

SEP 28
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 14 violations 2 CRITICAL
Critical Documentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

2-102.14(N) NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Other
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Other
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

3-501.17 ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE MARKED WITH EXPIRATION DATE.

Serious Other
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

3-603.11 MUST DISCLOSE ITEMS ON MENU THAT PERTAIN TO THE CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED, SUCH AS SUNNY SIDE UP EGG NOTED ON MENU ITEM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12(E) BULK FOOD SCOOPS IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE FOODS. MUST PROPERLY STORE BULK FOOD SCOOPS.

Minor Sanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12 (C) TONGS IMPROPERLY STORED WHILE IN USE ON THE HAND SINK SPLASH GUARD. MUST STORE IN USE UTENSILS PROPERLY.

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

4-903.11(B) ALL POTS/PANS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.

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

4-202.16- MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION OR SHELVING.

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

4-101.11- MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS---MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR FOOD CONTAINERS OR RAW WOOD AS FOOD CONTAINERS. FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE WASHABLE OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12 BACK FLOW PREVENTER NOT LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114 ALL UNNECESSARY STORED ARTICLES THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND AT MOP ROOM MUST BE REMOVED AND ALL OTHER ITEMS STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED FROM THE FLOORS 6" OR ABOVE INCLUDING ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.17- EXCESSIVE DUST ON THE CEILING VENTILATION IN THE WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT BOTH PREP AREAS AND DISH AREA WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT AND GREASE ALONG BASEBOARDS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT, UNDER ALL REAR PREP SHELVING, DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND SHELVING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL----. ALL WALLS AT THE DISH AND COOKS LINE PREP AREA WITH FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----PEELING PAINT ON THE WALL AT THE REAR PREP HAND AND ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINKS. MUST REMOVE. WALL CAULKING AT THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK FOUND UNEVEN AND PEELING. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Minor Other
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

PA 100-0367 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.

JUN 30
2017
PASS 2 violations
Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DEBRIS ON SHELVES BY THE PREP AREA AT REAR PREP AREA.NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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

DEBRIS ON FLOOR AT REAR PREP AREA ALONG BASEBOARD WALL.

JAN 25
2017
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL
Critical Food Temperature
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

FOUND 5 POUNDS OF COOKED BEANS IN PLASTIC CLEAR CONTAINER STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AT TEMP OF 68.7F. UNIT MAINTAIN AIR TEMP OF 40.2F.COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY THE MANAGER. POUNDS 5,VALUE 10 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)

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

OBSERVED KNIVES STORED BETWEEN THE WALL AND PREP TABLE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A KNIVES RACKS

MAR 31
2016
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations
Serious Other
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANDGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARRED COOKED AND SERVED INCLUDING CHICKEN AND BEEF. MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE ANY TIME POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARRED COOKED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012

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

OBSERVED PREPACKAGED DESSERTS IN COOLER NEED TO BE LABELED WITH INGREDIENTS, NAME OF PRODUCT, NAME AND ADDRESS OF RESTAURNAT WHERE IT HAS BEEN PREPARRED.

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

OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN AT GRILL AREA. REPLACE ANY BROKEN FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

OBSERVED THERMOMETER NEEDED IN SMALL REFRIGERATOR/COLD HOLD UNIT IN KITHCEN. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETER

Minor Documentation & Training
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

OBSERVED NO IDPH FOOD HADNLER CERTIFICATES IN PLACE. ADDITIONAL IDPH FOOD HADNLER INFORMATION PROVIDED.

show all 6 inspections →
MAY 12
2015
PASS 6 violations
Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Non food contact surfaces of ice machine not clean, needs cleaning(detailed).

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

Floors in prep area under 3 compartment sink not clean, needs detailed cleaning(corners), floors in rear prep area storage area not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners). Floors in furnace rooms not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).

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

Walls that had peeling paint, exposed raw wood in rear storage areas, shall be repaired/sealed. Walls that had peeling paint, peeling plaster in rear furnace room areas, shall be repaired/sealed.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

Missing light shields in rear prep area, and rear storage area, shall be provided.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Must provide back flow preventer to mop sink.

Minor Pest Activity
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Excess debris and clutter in 2nd furnace room shall be removed, also stock items must be stored six inches off of floor to prevent pest harborage.

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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