Tacos Montanas
Last inspected: Sep 2, 2025
82
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Tacos Montanas, the earliest from 2019. On Sep 2, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
Among Chicago restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 2, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: SOME INTERIOR AREAS OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE TO SECURE DOOR GASKETS ON THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR.---- MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEBOARD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH BUMPY, UNEVEN SPRAY FOAM AND CARDBOARD AS SEALANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH CLEANABLE COVING ALONG THE BASEBOARD IN THE COOLER THROUGHOUT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED ON THE REAR PATIO/WALKWAY MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.
55
82
Aug 12, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF BAR COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLED DEBRIS AND STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER TO REMOVE MOLD-LIKE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO THE BAR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX: 1/4" INCH GAP OPENINGS AT BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS TO THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
38
82
Dec 1, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS REACH 107 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS WOULD REACH 100 F BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THERE IS CONSISTENT HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
50
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
47
82
Jun 28, 2022
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR SUGAR ETC)
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING AND TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. NO MILK CRATES.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA IN A BAR AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. NOTED CLUTTER ON GROUND.
55
78
Mar 18, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
56
95
Nov 15, 2019
Reinspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
90
Nov 5, 2019
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. FOUND TEMPERATURE OF WALK-IN-COOLER AT THE KITCHEN AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 48.2 F. MUST REPAIR MENTIONED COOLER AND MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F OR COLDER AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
33
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS TO REMOVE PEELING GREASE/DEBRIS AND REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON FAN COVER INSIDE THE WALK-N-COOLER AND TO MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN MENS WASH ROOM.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK AREA. MUST INSTALL SO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND HOLES ON WALL BEHIND THE TOILET IN MENS WASH ROOM AND ON WALLS UNDER HAND SINK CABINETS IN BOTH WASH ROOMS AND OPENINGS AROUND PIPES IN CEILING IN KITCHEN AREA AND ON WALL AROUND PLUMBING PIPES UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.MUST BE SEALED SHOWN TO MANAGER AT THIS TIME.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: EXPOSED BRICK WALLS IN STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO BAR AREA MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND SEAL ALL NOTICEABLE GAPS AND OPENINGS IN BETWEEN ALL MENTIONED BRICK WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND DIM LIGHTING INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER AND BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB AT KITCHEN HOOD.MUST PROVIDE BRIGHTER BULB IN WALK-IN-COOLER AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN MENS WASH ROOM NOT WORKING.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. - -
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY FOR CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE. -
58
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tacos Montanas last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tacos Montanas on file is from Sep 2, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tacos Montanas?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Tacos Montanas.
Has Tacos Montanas' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tacos Montanas have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tacos Montanas 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 Tacos Montanas inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tacos Montanas is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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