Spicy Taco
Last inspected: Nov 24, 2025
82
Score
Public records show six inspections at Spicy Taco stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 24, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
“Insects, rodents, & animals not present” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Spicy Taco scores about where you'd expect for a Chicago restaurant. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 24, 2025
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME AT THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR OR WEATHER GUARD TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN WATER WITHOUT ADEQUATE SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR WIPING FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES IN AN ADEQUATE SANTIIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF NONFUNCTIONAL LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED BY DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA GRILL LINE IN POOR REPAIR, WATER-DAMAGED OR HEAT-DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HEAT- AND WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
55
82
Oct 27, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER (IN MAIN KITCHEN AREA) IN POOR REPAIR, NONFUNCTIONAL AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PERSON-IN-CHARGE AWARE OF COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO INSPECTION AND REMOVED ALL TCS FOOD FROM COOLER PRIOR TO INSPECTOR ARRIVAL. TAGGED EQUIPMENT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT CDPH ONCE COOLER IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE COOLER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE FOR MAINTAINING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
33
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN WATER WITHOUT ADEQUATE SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR WIPING FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES IN AN ADEQUATE SANTIIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF NONFUNCTIONAL LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED BY DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA GRILL LINE IN POOR REPAIR, WATER-DAMAGED OR HEAT-DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HEAT- AND WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME AT THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR OR WEATHER GUARD TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
70
Dec 3, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
95
May 15, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. NOTED PLASTIC BAG IS USED AS A DRAIN STOPPER.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOW (COLD) WATER PRESSURE AT HANDSINK IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE MUST BE COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID/COVER.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT MEN'S WASHROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM (NEXT TO THE FRONT COUNTER). FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
55
78
Jul 19, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 6, 2022
License
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND APPROXIMATELY 50 RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR IN FURNACE CLOSET AND IN FRONT OFFICE SPACE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NOW RECOMMENDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A).
38
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT ITS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN AND AT FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
10
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENUS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS (KITCHEN, FRONT COUNTER).
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT MESH SCREEN FOR THE NORTH WALL FAN IN THE KITCHEN TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS IN KITCHEN BEHIND UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENTS WITH GREASE BUILD-UP AND DEBRIS.MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Spicy Taco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Spicy Taco on file is from Nov 24, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Spicy Taco?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Spicy Taco.
Has Spicy Taco's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Spicy Taco have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Spicy Taco 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 Spicy Taco inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Spicy Taco is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants