Taco Maya
Last inspected: Oct 23, 2025
78
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Taco Maya, the earliest from 2021. The most recent report on file is from Oct 23, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
“City of chicago food service sanitation certificate” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 23, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) HELD INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.OBSERVED TWO (2) CONTAINERS OF COOKED PINTO BEANS WITH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 48.0F-51.0F MANAGER STATED WAS COOKED LAST NIGHT.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 5#'S OF FOOD WORTH $120.00. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
22
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB FOR LIGHT FIXTURE OVER THE REAR DRY STORAGE RACKS.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULBS AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
78
Mar 26, 2025
Reinspection
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: 8-404.13(B:3): OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2614134 DATED 03/19/2025 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED. OBSERVED NO LACTIC ACID TEST KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF LACTIC ACID SANITIZING SOLUTION. CORRECTED ON SITE LACTIC ACID TEST KIT DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION.
59
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: 2-101.11: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ARRIVED ON SITE AT 12:20PM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 2-101.11: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ARRIVED ON SITE AT 12:20PM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
74
Mar 19, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IMPROPERLY SANTIZING AT A CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM CHLORINE. CORRECTED ON SITE 'HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED
16
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LACTIC ACID AND CHLORINE TEST KITS ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF LACTIC ACID AND CHLORINE SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
48
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
47
61
Aug 13, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: Found 25 lbs of cooked rice held at 54.3f in tightly closed plastic bags, held in walk-in cooler from a day before. Instructed to hold all cold TCS foods at 41f or lower. Priority violation 7-38-005. Rice discarded valued at $40.
22
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken, beef...) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.
2
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Bulk food container (salt ) not labeled, instructed to label.
37
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: Slow drainage at dish room hand wash sink, instructed to repair and maintain.
10
67
Nov 7, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING AT 0PPM CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION WHILE IN USE MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MAY NOT BE USED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING A PROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE AT ALL TIMES. MUST USE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH AND SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN, RICE, BEANS WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLOW LEAK AT THE HAND WASHING SINK HANDLE IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
55
67
Oct 27, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN USE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING A PROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FLOUR, BEANS, AND RICE NOT LABELLED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON FAN IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
70
Jul 13, 2021
License
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR EMPLOYEE TO SIG AND DATE, AND KEEP DOCUMENTS ONSITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH CANS IN THE UNISEX TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN SOME PREP & WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
36
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT IN THE HOOD, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AN MAINTIAN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET, INFORMATION PROVIDED.
57
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
47
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Maya last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Maya on file is from Oct 23, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Maya?
Across the inspection record, “city of chicago food service sanitation certificate” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Taco Maya.
Has Taco Maya's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taco Maya have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taco Maya 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 Taco Maya inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Maya is inspected around two times per year on average.
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