El Taconazo Express
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
74
Score
El Taconazo Express appears in inspection records 14 times, starting in 2020. The most recent visit was on Feb 4, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately compared to roughly one violation before.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded seven times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which El Taconazo Express' 74 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATLEY 60 LBS COOKED CHICKEN AS WELL AS 40 LBS COOKED STEAK STORED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER WITHOUT LABELS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DISCARD DATE LABELS ON TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETER INSDIE COLD HOLD UNIT WITH TWO DOOR ATTACHED IN FRONT OF SERVICE WINDOW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE CHLORINE SOLUTION @ AT LEAST 50PPM IN BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UPRIGHT COOLER NEXT TO PREP TABLE AS WELL AS 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED NEAR SERVICE WINDOW WITH RIPPED GASKETS WITH BUILT UP FOOD DEBRIS. NOTED COLD HOLD UNIT EQUIPMENT LID HELD TOGETHER WITH STRING.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AS REQUIRED.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRONT SERVICE AREA COUNTER AS WELL AS NON FOOD STORAGE/ OFFICE SPACE ATTACHED TO DINING AREA WITH EXCESSIVE CLUTTER, OLD EQUIPMENT, MISCELLANEUS ITEMS STORED ON FLOORS. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR, MUST MAINTAIN PREMISE
55
74
May 28, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 23, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT IN PREP TO BE IMPROPER: BREADED CHICKEN BREAST 48.7F, PICADILLO 47.9F, ASADA STEAK CUT 48.8F, CARNITAS 48.5F, RICE 47.4F, PORK CHOP 49.4F, EGGS AT 48.7F, AND PREPARED CHICKEN TACO MEAT 50.2F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 25 LBS OF AFFECTED PRODUCTS, VALUED AT $295.00, UTILIZING A DENATURING PROCESS TO PREVENT CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 50.8F IN PREP AREA. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER, AND REACH IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD, TINFOIL, OR PLASTIC WRAP FOR LINER ON ANY SHELVING OR EQUIPMENT. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN COOKING AREA AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS, LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.
55
58
Feb 3, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jan 17, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND HAND SINK NEXT TO ICE MACHINE LOOSE.MUST FASTEN PROPERLY TO WALL.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN INSIDE STORAGE AREAS AND INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.MUST CLEAN.
55
90
Jul 14, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 7, 2023
Complaint
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR SHIELD OF ICE MACHINE, ICE IN MACHINE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ICE DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE INVERTED ICE SCOOP IN CONTAINER ON EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. CORRECTED ON SITE.ICE SCOOP CLEAN, SANITIZED AND STORED INVERTED IN CONTAINER ON EXTERIOR TOP OF ICE MACHINE.
44
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FILTERS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
82
Jan 12, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 2-DOOR PREP COOLER (ACROSS FROM HOT COOKING LINE) RIGHT SIDE DOOR RUBBER GASKET RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DAMAGED DOOR GASKET.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Oct 25, 2022
Complaint
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO A VOMIT OR DIARRHEAL EVENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: REMOVE HANGING FLY STRIPS FROM THE CEILING IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE WALLS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA AND THE FLOORS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
57
78
Mar 25, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 18, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED BY A STATEMENT BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT STATING THAT "THESE ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
57
78
Jul 13, 2021
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLER UPPER PORTION AROUND CORNERS ALSO OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP ON PREP AREA SHELVES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL COLD WATER HANDLE STRIPPED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/MAINTAIN SAID COLD WATER HANDLE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT OFFICE. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
55
82
Nov 17, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 6, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATION AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. FOUND 4 DRAWER COOLER WITH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 56.4F. FOUND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE WALK IN COOLER @ 43.5F. ALL REFRIGERATION MUST BE AT 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL DEDICATED, EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO COOKING LINE, PREP COOLERS, AND SERVICE WINDOW IN PREP AREA. HAND SINK MUST HAVE PLUMBED HOT/COLD WATER, SOAP/PAPER TOWELS AND SIGNAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
10
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.
58
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Taconazo Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Taconazo Express on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Taconazo Express?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at El Taconazo Express.
Has El Taconazo Express' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Taconazo Express have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Taconazo Express 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 El Taconazo Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Taconazo Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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