Taqueria L' Patron

2032 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jul 16, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Taqueria L' Patron, the earliest from 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 16, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “allergen training as required”, showing up three times.

That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jul 16, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS COLD HOLDING UNIT IN PREP TO BE IMPROPER: AL PASTOR 46.6F, CHORIZO AT 44.4F, SLICED TOMATOES AT 51.8, ARRENCHERIA AT 45.6F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 15 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $250.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITH NO CORRESPONDING CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES THAT CORRESPOND WITH ON-SITE PLAN. MUST KEEP BOTH THE POLICY AND SUPPLIES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN WOMENS WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.

Nov 18, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Dec 19, 2023

Routine

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER LOCATED AT BAR.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION NOT WORKING INSIDE THE WOMENS WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN WASHROOMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

May 1, 2023

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Apr 18, 2023

License

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: FOUND BOTH WASHROOMS HANDWASH SINKS HOT WATER TEMPERATURE NOT MAINTAINED, WATER TEMPERATURE AT 86.0 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER WASHROOMS HANDWASH SINKS HOT WATER TEMPERATURE MUST BE A MINIMAL 100.0 F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: REAR PREP AREA 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 48.O F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR COOLER, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASH SINK HOT WATER HANDLE LOOSE. MUST REPAIR SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Taqueria L' Patron last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Taqueria L' Patron on file is from Jul 16, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Taqueria L' Patron?

Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria L' Patron.

Has Taqueria L' Patron's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taqueria L' Patron have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Taqueria L' Patron means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Taqueria L' Patron inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria L' Patron is inspected around two times per year on average.

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