El Taco Express
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
67
Score
EL TACO EXPRESS, located at 8548 S Stony Island Ave in Chicago, IL, underwent a moderate risk inspection on March 3, 2026, resulting in a score of 67. This inspection identified eight minor violations, including issues with food-contact surfaces, thawing methods, and food labeling. Across six scored inspections, EL TACO EXPRESS has historically received mostly medium-risk classifications.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine
8 minor violations.
67
Jan 28, 2025
Routine
6 minor violations.
74
Jan 30, 2024
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
86
Jan 23, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
May 9, 2023
Reinspection
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
74
Apr 11, 2023
License
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 15 minor violations.
23
Violations — Mar 3, 2026 Inspection
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11 OBSERVED A GREEN SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER AND ON THE SIDES OF THE INTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
16
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: 3-501.13 OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING OF TCS FOODS. OBSERVED RAW BEEF THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN A CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS THAW FROZEN PRODUCTS PROPERLY UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) OR IN A REFRIGERATOR AT ALL TIMES.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABEL WITH PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.12 OBSERVED SCOOPS BEING STORED IN DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS AND PLATES USED TO SCOOP FOOD BEING STORED IN PRODUCT'S CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE ALL UTENSILS PROPERLY.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11 OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 OBSERVED COVING DETACHED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 OBSERVED A BAG OF ONIONS BEING STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES AND DO NOT STORE FOOD ITEMS ON THE FLOOR.
55
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
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