Taco Joe
Last inspected: Mar 19, 2014
78
Score
Across the available record, Taco Joe has six inspections on file, the first dated 2010. On Mar 19, 2014, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit. Public records show no inspections at Taco Joe since Mar 19, 2014, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Taco Joe trails the local norm. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 19, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE PREP REACH IN COOLER IN THE FRONT GRILL/PREP AREA AND CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS IN ALL CORNERS, AROUND THE GREASE TRAP AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD SPLATTERS OFF CEILING TILES IN MIDDLE PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST FIX AND MAINTAIN THE LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE 1-COMPARTMENT AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN MID PREP AREA. MUST FIX THE LOOSE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE SAME 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH TO SUBMERGE THE BIGGEST UTENSIL. MUST HAVE METAL DRAINBOARD.
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78
Apr 19, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELF REAR NEED TO REMOVE RUST.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR/CORNER REAR UNDER COFFEE STATION.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR WALL/COVING IN HEATER ROOM.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: CLEAN INSIDE LIGHT SHIELD FRONT WAIT STATION.
36
82
Jul 6, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.CLEAN REAR 2 DOOR COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.NEED TO REPLACE BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH WASHING AREA.
36
90
Feb 6, 2012
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.FOUND FOOD NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS I.E. BUTTER,WATER,SOY SAUCE, AND SOAP CONTAINERS IN RESTROOMS/REAR PREP AREA.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.NEED TO SEAL RAW WOOD REAR PREP.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage.NEED TO CLEAN FRONT SODA DRIP TRAY.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.REPAIR WALL UNDER WINDOW OUT SIDE LADIES ROOM, REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.LIGHT OUT OVER REAR 2 DOOR FREEZER, NEED TO REPLACE. CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS DINNING AREA, AND REAR PREP AREA. LIGHT SHIELD MISSING IN REAR WALK IN COOLER NEED TO REPLACE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.3 COMP. SINK SPRAYER BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE NEED TO REPLACE. TOILET SEAT MISSING IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM OFF KITCHEN NEED TO REPLACE.
38
74
May 20, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING WHERE WORN, DISCOLORED AND DEEP CUTS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: SODA DISPENSOR NOZZLES, SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER, AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FLOORS IN BASEMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING AT SODA BOX STATION. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. HANDSINK FAUCET IN NEED OF REPAIR. BUTTON MUST STAY DOWN TO ADEQUETELY WASH YOUR HANDS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
82
Jul 27, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MULTI USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STOED. INSTD TO STORE HANDLE UP.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUSTY SURFACE ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE. REMOVE SAME.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: LIGHTSHIELDS AT FRONT COUNTER NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES TOILET COVER CRACKED. REPLACE.
38
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Joe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Joe on file is from Mar 19, 2014. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Joe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taco Joe.
Has Taco Joe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taco Joe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taco Joe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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