Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens

2574-2580 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Dec 17, 2024
74
Score
Medium Risk

Public records show eight inspections at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens stretching back to 2015. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 17, 2024. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near seven violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.

Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens' latest score of 74 falls below the Chicago average of 81. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 17, 2024
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E)// NOTED TOP INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TRAY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 4-901.12// OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12: **C** Cutting Surfaces NOTED CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AREA/ PIZZA STATION WITH DEEP CUTS AND BLACK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C)// NOTED RUSTED LID TO GREASE TRAP UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN PIZZA PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH AND SEAL WITH PAINT AND SEALANT, RESTORING A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.11// NOTED HOLE IN CEILING ABOVE REAR KITCHEN FRYER AND BROKEN/UNEVEN FLOORING IN HALL IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, RESTORING A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13// OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
74
Nov 15, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
Inspector notes: NOTED DEAD ANT IN COOKED PASTA STORED IN FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER IN PREP AREA COOLER. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-40-050(A) CITATION ISSUED
13
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEST ACTIVITY WITH APPROX. 30 SMALL FLIES NOTED DURING INSPECTION. SMALL FLY ACTIVITY WAS NOTED AROUND FRONT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT PEST CONTROL AS ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE ACTIVITY PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED RUSTED LID TO GREASE TRAP UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN PIZZA PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH AND SEAL WITH PAINT AND SEALANT, RESTORING A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HOLE IN CEILING ABOVE REAR KITCHEN FRYER AND BROKEN/UNEVEN FLOORING IN HALL IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, RESTORING A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON THAT HOLD THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS IN REAR FRYING AND DISHROOM.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED TOP INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TRAY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AREA/ PIZZA STATION WITH DEEP CUTS AND BLACK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
52
Sep 15, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE/HANG CLEAN UTENSILS NEXT TO THE PREP HAND WASHING SINK.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A CLEAN BARRIER BETWEEN READY TO EAT CHIPS AND CHIP BASKETS IN PRE-FILLED BASKETS.
45
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: LEAK UNDER BAR #1 HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS: UNDER SINKS AT BAR #1 AND #2, UNDER THE LARGE DISH MACHINE, BEHIND THE ICE BIN AND METAL RACK SHELVING IN THE DISH ROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.---BROKEN AND WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE ICE MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.----NOTED EXPOSED RAW BRICK WALLS NEXT TO TOILETS IN BOTH THE MEN AND LADIES WASHROOM. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE DISH MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
78
Mar 18, 2021
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIPPER WELL WITH ICE CREAM SCOOPS UNCLEAN. CLEAN DIPPER WELL WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY. OBSEVED INTERIOR OF ICE CREAM FREEZER UNCLEAN WITH FOOD SPILLS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN THERMOMTER WITHIN COOLER IN PREP AREA. REPLACE BROKEN THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN.
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE STORAGE BIN BEHIND SOUTH BAR UNDERNEATH DRAIN LINE. ICE STORAGE BIN TOP CAN NOT CLOSE PROPERLY TO PROTECT ICE AND ICE STOAGE UNIT CAN NOT BE STORED UNDER DRAIN LINE. RELOCATE ICE STORAGE BIN FROM UNDER DRAIN LINE.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN GASKET ON REACH IN COOLER IN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE.
47
82
Dec 23, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: - NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED. -
3
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE PREP ROOM ADJACENT TO THE OFFICE. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN/HAVE SERVICED, AND MAINTAIN MACHINE AT ALL TIMES. -
16
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED EQUIPMENT AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED DIRECTLY UNDER WASTE WATER LINE IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE AND STORE ALL EQUIPMENT, FOOD, AND ARTICLES AWAY FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. -
44
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: - UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK IN THE DISH PIT AREA. MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE LOCATION OF THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR VISIBLE INSPECTION. -
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED A LEAK FROM THE FAUCET OF THE HANDWASH SINK IN THE KITCHEN COOK LINE AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. -
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED CORK CEILING TILES USED ON THE CEILING IN THE DISH PIT AND IN THE PREP AREA ADJACENT TO THE OFFICE. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE CEILING TILES THAT ARE NON-CORROSIVE, NON-ABSORBENT, SMOOTH,AND EASILY CLEANABLE. -
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE WALL BY THE DISH MACHINE. OBSERVED THE COVING PEELING FROM THE WALL IN THE DISH PIT AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. -
55
67
Jul 24, 2018
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF KITCHEN. FOUND A CONTAINER OF COOKED CHICKEN AT 67.5F A CONTAINER OF GREEN SAUCE AT 53.5F AND CONTAINER OF GINGER SAUCE AT 53.3F. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 41.0F OR BELOW. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD. APPROXIMATELY 13LBS VALUE OF 115. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)-COS
22
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A HEALTH EMPLOYEE POLICY.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITH REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367. NO CITATION ISSUED.
58
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA/DISHWASHING AREA AND REAR EXPOSED HAND SINK LOCATED NEXT TO DISHMACHINE MUST PROVIDE SOAP IN ALL SINKS AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP IN BOTH EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030. CITATION ISSUED. COS
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED BLACK AND BROWN SLIMY SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINES LOCATED IN REAR SOUTH SIDE OF BUSINESS. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINES AND MAINTAIN. ICE MACHINES HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND SANITIZED DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED.COS
16
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: FACILITIES UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED 2-DOOR PREP COOLER LOCATED IN NORT SIDE OF KITCHEN WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 50.9F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR BELOW. COOLER HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND NOW MAINTAINS TEMPERATURE OF 38.6F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005(A) CITATION ISSUED. COS
33
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTIONS WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN MAIN KITCHENAREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
39
May 30, 2017
Complaint
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Linen: clean and soiled properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE SOILED LINENS IN SANITIZING WATER WHILE NOT IN USE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.
39
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL WORKING THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.
40
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR BROKEN DOOR GASKET ON THE SALAD COOLER IN THE PREP AREA. ALSO, REPAIR BROKEN TOP COOLER DOOR ON SAID COOLER, AND ADJUST DOOR SWEEPS AT REAR EXIT REAR EXIT DOOR. DISCONTINUE USE OF MILK CRATES FOR STORAGE RACKS, INSTALL PROPER RISER, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN STOVE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF FRYER, CONTACT SURFACES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, UNDER AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS, DRIED FOOD AND GREASE PRESENT. SEAL HOLES IN WALL IN MENS AND WOMENS TOILET ROOM. MUST SEAL EXPOSE BRICK WALLS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS, SO SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: VENTILATION HOOD IN PREP AREA MUST COVER ALL FRYERS, STOVES, AND BURNERS IN KITCHEN. MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS AT HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREAS, NEXT TO ANY EXPOSED FOOD STORAGE. MUST INSTALL HAND SINK WITH SPLASH GUARD, SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTALL DUMP SINK BEHIND BAR 2. ALSO INSTALL HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT BOTH TOP LOADING BEVERAGE MACHINES BEHIND BAR 1 AND BAR 2, TO ENSURE PROPER CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM SMALL STORAGE HALL CLOSET. ALSO, REMOVE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER FROM COMMON AREA HALLWAY NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING OR COOKING FOOD IN PREP AREAS.
42
64
May 19, 2015
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON REACH IN REFRIGERATION UNIT NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. REPLACE TORN GASKET AND MAINTAIN
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: ALL FLOORS NEED TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE INCLUDING: AROUND MOP SINK, IN MOP OFF OF KITCHEN,IN FOOD STORAGE ROOM OFF OF KITHCEN CONTAINING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, IN DISH MACHINE ROOM, AND IN BASEMENT LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM. RESTORE ALL FLOOR TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: ALL LIGHTS IN BASEMENT LIQUOR ROOM MUST BE SHILDED AND MAINTAINED.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: BASEMENT MUST BE FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL OLD EQUIPMENT INCLUDING ALL RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT. BASEMENT NEEDS TO KEPT CLEAN TO ALLOW ACCESS TO PEST CONTROL AND ELIMINATE ALL INSECT AND RODENT HARBORAGE.
41
82

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens on file is from Dec 17, 2024. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens.

Has Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens 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 Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Broken English Taco Pub - Lincoln Park — Neon Gardens is inspected roughly once per year on average.