Meson Del Taco Express
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
82
Score
Going back to 2018, Meson Del Taco Express has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 4, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near one violation per visit.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Chicago restaurants. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food separated and protected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW MEAT NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED RAW MEAT IN METAL PAN STORED INSIDE OPEN GARBAGE CAN IN PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. EMPLOYEE DISCARDED MEAT. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS COST $10.00. MUST PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES.
15
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
57
82
Feb 24, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ON OUTSIDE OIL TANK CONTAINER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
52
95
Jul 22, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN THAWING IN BUCKET WITH WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER CONTINOUS RUNNING WATER WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 70F OR BELOW OR IN ADEQUATE REFRIGERATION WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW.
35
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARD BOARD BOXES STORED OUTSIDE BY REAR DOOR. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM PREMISES.
55
90
Aug 14, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE,ACCURATE WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE THE PREP LINE COOLER AND AT REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE EXIT DOOR.
36
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST RENEW ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
90
Jul 28, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 20, 2022
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND REMINDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS WRITTEN IMPROPERLY INSIDE MENU.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE MENUS WITH CORRECT REMINDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS.
25
90
Mar 23, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) STORED IN (KITCHEN) REFRIGERATOR: COOKED CHICKEN INTERNAL TEMPERATURES (46.0 F-48.6 F).INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, (TCS FOODS) MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR BELOW AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135F.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.CORRECTED ON SITE (COS).
22
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN THE PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO LABEL ALL DESSERTS WITH COMMON NAME, NAME OF MANUFACTURER AND ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, ETC.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR EXIT SCREEN DOOR WITH GAP/OPENING APPROX:1/4" AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE,INVERT POTS/PANS ON KITCHEN SHELF TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS MUST BE STORED WITH HANDLES-UP.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS SPILLAGE UNDER AND AROUND COOKING GRILL EQUIPMENTS.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
58
67
Feb 7, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST IDENTIFY PRODUCT SHELF LIFE OR "CONSUME BY" DATING (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
23
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS/BINS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTH IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT EXTERIOR TOP SURFACES OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH GREASE ACCUMULATION UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE CLEANING EQUIPMENT (BROOMS, MOPS ETC) OFF THE FLOOR.
55
70
May 20, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENU PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/KIT ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE AN EMPLOYEE POLICY /KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CREATE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EXPOSRD HANDSINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A EXPOSED HANDSINK NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CORE VIOLATION
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO FIND LOCATION OF BACKFLOW DEVICE IN ICE MACHINE OR INSTALL A BACKFLOW DEVICE. CORE VIOLATION
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELDS OVER FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PUT SHIELDS OVER LIGHTS. CORE VIOLATION
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE NO CERTFIED WITH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET THIS EMPLOYEE CERTIFIED IN FOODHANDLER TRAINING. CORE VIOLATION
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: THISESTABLISHMENT IS NOT ALLERGEN CERTIFIED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO BECOME ALLERGEN CERTIFIED. CORE VIOLATION
58
58
May 23, 2018
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR UNDER STAIRWELL CLOSET DIRTY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER STAIRWELL CLOSET
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VENTILATION IN EMPLOYEES RESTROOM.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO IINSTALL VENTILTION FAN. OBSERVED NO MOPSINK ON SITE.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A MOPSINK WITH BACKFLOW DEVICE AN IF INSTALLED NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK A SPLASHGUARD WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. OBSERVED NO DRAINBOARD AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A DRAIN BOARD AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Meson Del Taco Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Meson Del Taco Express on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Meson Del Taco Express?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Meson Del Taco Express.
Has Meson Del Taco Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Meson Del Taco Express have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Meson Del Taco Express means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Meson Del Taco Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Meson Del Taco Express is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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