Mago's Tamales & Taqueria — Mago's Tacos & Tamales
Last inspected: Nov 14, 2025
47
Score
MAGO'S TAMALES & TAQUERIA, located at 5211 W Diversey Ave in Chicago, IL, underwent a high-risk inspection on November 14, 2025. This inspection resulted in 2 critical, 1 major, and 7 minor violations. Historically, the establishment has maintained a mostly medium-risk profile across 19 scored inspections.
19
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
47
Oct 7, 2024
Complaint
7 minor violations.
70
Jun 5, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
47
May 18, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
95
May 9, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
70
May 9, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
70
May 18, 2021
Routine
6 minor violations.
74
Nov 12, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
50
Jul 9, 2018
Recent Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 27, 2018
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
74
Jun 20, 2018
Routine
7 minor violations.
70
May 11, 2017
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
74
May 4, 2017
Routine
7 minor violations.
70
Aug 31, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
90
Mar 18, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
82
Mar 25, 2015
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
95
Mar 18, 2015
Complaint
5 minor violations.
78
Nov 19, 2014
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
86
Nov 12, 2014
License
7 minor violations.
70
Violations — Nov 14, 2025 Inspection
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON ON SITE WITH FOODSERVICE MANAGER TRAINING.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT CERTIFIED MANAGER AS WELL AS VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (BEANS, RICE, CHICKEN, STEAK). PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOOD STORED IN FRONT PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE RANGE OF 58F-60F. THE FOLLOWING COLD HOLD ITEMS OBSERVED AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING; SLICED TOMATOES, CHOPPED BEEF, SHREDDED CHICKEN, DICED TOMATOES, COOKED CHORIZO. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10LBS OF DENATURED FOOD AT A COST OF $100. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA AT 61F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL COLD HOLD UNITS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION BY CDPH AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT NO TCS FOODS MAY BE STORED IN UNIT UNTIL RE-INSPECTION.
33
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4IN GAP IN BOTTOM CORNER OF REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON TWO DOOR COOLER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREP TABLE IN REAR USED FOR STORAGE WITH EXCESSIVE RUST ON BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN LID ON COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AND LITTER UNDER AND AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LITTER AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER SHELVING AND ALONG WALL BEHIND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
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