Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
67
Score
Inspectors have visited Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia nine times, with records going back to 2018. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 18, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up five times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPILLS AND PERSONAL ITEMS STORED ON SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
45
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE INSIDE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL LARGE EQUIPMENT.
48
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF-CLOSING DEVICE IN POOR REPAIR IN STAFF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON STAFF WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS AND PEELING SURFACES ON WALL BEHIND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR WALL BEHIND PREP TABLE TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
67
Jul 23, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS IN RESTROOMS IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILE NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AREA OF FLOOR TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
90
Jul 15, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE (ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTEWATER BACKING UP INTO SINK COMPARTMENTS WHEN CENTER COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR SINK AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS IN RESTROOMS IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILE NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AREA OF FLOOR TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
74
Nov 4, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, SUCH AS 4 LBS OF BEEF AT 47.2F, 2 LBS OF BEEF BARBACOA AT 47.8F, AND 6 LBS OF GOAT AT 49.4F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 12 LBS AT $250. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING SINK NOT MAINTAINED WITH HOT WATER: IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT WATER OBSERVED AT DISHWASH HANDSINK AT 66F. REPAIRS WERE MADE DURING INSPECTION WATER IS AT 101F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF HOT WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
74
Jun 23, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK MARKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE OR RE-SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
95
Jul 20, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO DRAIN STOPPERS AT THREE COMP SINK FOR PROPER SET UP; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DRAIN STOPPERS AT THREE COMP SINK.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN REAR UPPER INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNCOVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN UNISEX WASHROOMS; MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN UNISEX WASHROOMS FOR FEMININE PRODUCTS.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
82
Nov 16, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CRATES USED FOR ELEVATION IN GARAGE AREA (FREEZERS) AS WELL AS PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS. MUST MAINTAIN.
55
95
May 9, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA, BUT NO CLEAN-UP KIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE ONE DOOR COOLER IN THE FRONT AREA COOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Aug 30, 2018
License
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: SINK COMPARTMENTS MUST BE LARGE ENOUGH TO FULLY ACCOMMODATE IMMERSION OF THE LARGEST EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE LARGE UTENSILS FROM PREMISES OR PROVIDE A 3-COMP SINK THAT WOULD ACCOMODATE THE OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRIED.
58
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia.
Has Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Birrieria La Tapatia — Birrieria Tapatia is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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