Penelope's Vegan Taqueria
Last inspected: Jul 15, 2025
100
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 15, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.
Across the inspection history, “adequate ventilation & lighting” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 15, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 8, 2025
Complaint
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.APPROXIMATELY 25 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND CEILING TILES AND EQUIPMENTS IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND THE DRY STORAGE ROOM.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A),CITATION ISSUED.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 6-501.19--OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE UNISEX WASHROOM DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON SAID WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-501.14--INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON CEILING VENTILATION COVER IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12---OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE BUILD-UP ON PIPES BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND THE DEEP FRYER,INTERIOR OF COOLERS WITH SPILLED FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
49
74
May 6, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE BUILD-UP ON PIPES BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND THE DEEP FRYER,INTERIOR OF COOLERS WITH SPILLED FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE UNISEX WASHROOM DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON SAID WASHROOM DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON CEILING VENTILATION COVER IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.
56
78
Sep 25, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT BUILD UP AND DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA AS WELL AS THE EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Dec 19, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY CERTIFICATION OR DOCUMENTATION OF PENDING CITY CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS BEANS AND RICE COOKED AND SERVED ON-SITE. NO OTHER ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON-SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD IS COOKED AND SERVED ON SITE. MANAGER ARRIVED AT APPROXIMATELY 12:05 PM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PINK DEBRIS ON DRIP PLATE OF INTERIOR ICE MACHINE. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: UTENSILS STORED IN STAGNANT CUP OF WATER ABOVE 2DOOR REACH IN BEVERAGE COOLER. STORE IN-USE UTENSILS: 1) IN THE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE UP AND OUT OF THE FOOD ITEM; 2) STORED ON A CLEAN AND SANITIZED SIRFACE; 3) IN RUNNING WATER; 4) IN CONTAINER OF HOT WATER MAINTAINED AT OR ABOVE 135F.
43
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: EQUIPMENT USED IN THE FACILITY IS TOO LARGE TO FIT AND FULLY IMMERSE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST INSTALL A LARGER 3COMPARTMENT SINKTHAT WILL ALLOW ALL EQUIPMENT TO BE IMMERSED, USE SMALLER EQUIPMENT THAT CAN FIT IN THE EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR USE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF MANUAL WAREWASHING APPROVED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAK UNDER MOP SINK LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. FACILITY MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOUND IN BASEMENT. THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.
55
70
Aug 12, 2022
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FAUCET CONNECTED TO MOP SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FAUCET WITH REQUIRED BACKFLOW PREVENTER AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER CONNECTED TO ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGUALATIONS.
51
90
Aug 9, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CATERING EQUIPMENT STORED IN REAR DIRECTLY ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF GROUND TO ALLOW FOR PROPER CLEANING.
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FAUCET CONNECTED TO MOP SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FAUCET WITH REQUIRED BACKFLOW PREVENTER AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER CONNECTED TO ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGUALATIONS.
51
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Penelope's Vegan Taqueria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria on file is from Jul 15, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria.
Has Penelope's Vegan Taqueria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria 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 Penelope's Vegan Taqueria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Penelope's Vegan Taqueria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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