Tapicozza
Last inspected: Mar 12, 2025
52
Score
Going back to 2023, Tapicozza has three inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 12, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around eight violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Tapicozza trails the local norm. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY TO EAT FOOD (TACOS) WITH BARE HAND. FOOD EMPLOYEES' MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS AND SHALL USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
9
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE HAND-SINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2588705 ON 1/29/24 WERE NOT CORRECTED: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION TO COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (TACOS, PIZZA, CALZONES, ETC) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
52
Jan 29, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION TO COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
95
Dec 21, 2023
License
1 critical violation. 7 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WORKING MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL COOLERS MUST BE INSTALLED, TURNED ON, AND MAINTAINED PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
33
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHLORINE TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. SEE COMMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. 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. NO CITATION ISSUED.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT WASHBOWL SINKS AND 1 OF 2 EXPOSED SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND KIT ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY ITEMS, INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT WASHBOWL SINK IN 1 OF 2 TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Compliance with clean indoor air ordinance
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEE SMOKING A CIGARETTE IN DINING ROOM AT BEGINNING OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE. VIOLATION 7-32-015. NO CITATION ISSUED.
62
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE FRONT ORDERING/BAR AREA AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES INSIDE BOTH UNISEX SINGLE-OCCUPANT TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD-UP OF DIRT, DUST, GRIME, AND GREASE IN THE REAR PREP AND DISH AREA ON EQUIPMENT, SINKS, FLOORS, AND WALLS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION TO COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
33
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tapicozza last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tapicozza on file is from Mar 12, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tapicozza?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tapicozza.
Has Tapicozza's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tapicozza have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tapicozza means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
Nearby Restaurants