Taqueria La Ciudad
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Taqueria La Ciudad nine times, with records going back to 2021. Taqueria La Ciudad was last inspected on Apr 15, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Taqueria La Ciudad is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed dish washer washing dishes at 3-comp sink without sanitizing only using dish soap. Instructed manager to sanitize multi-use utensils when washing. Priority violation 7-38-025.
16
86
Jan 7, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Bulk food containers not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.
37
95
Feb 26, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE CONTAINERS IN DRY STORAGE ROOM NOT STORED INVERTED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO INVERAT ALL POTS, PANS, AND CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN USE.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TAPE USE ON GASKET AT TWO-DOOR COOLER IN FRONT OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY REPAIR GASKET.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DOORWAY LEADING TO REAR STORAGE ROOM (NEAR EXTERIOR REAR DOOR) TO HAVE LARGE GAPS. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILE NEAR TWO DOOR COOLER IN FRONT COUNTER AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO SEAL AND CLOSE ALL GAPS AND REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES.
55
86
Apr 26, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 22, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE COLD HOLD COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: SALSA VERDE AT 54.2 F, SALSA ROJA AT 52.8 F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 1.0 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $ 6.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION. NOTED OVER 1000 MICE DROPPING ON SHELVES AND FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE AREA, KITCHEN ARE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENTS SINK AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT, IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND BACK STORAGE AREA, IN UTILITY SINK ROOM, ON THE SHELVING AND THE FLOOR BEHIND THE SHELVING IN THE BACK STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
38
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM 01/18/2024, REPORT #2588214, OBSERVED NOT TO BE CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #37 OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINER (SUGAR) STORED ON DRY STORAGE SHELF WITH SEASONINGS IN THE KITCHEN. THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES. #47 OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING/NOT WORKING AT THE LEFT SIDE AND MIDDLE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. #47 OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN, BEEF, AND OTHER FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE CHEST FREEZER AND TWO-DOOR COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
60
74
Jan 18, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN, BEEF, AND OTHER FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE CHEST FREEZER AND TWO-DOOR COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING/NOT WORKING AT THE LEFT SIDE AND MIDDLE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION NEAR THE KITCHEN. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND SIGNAGE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINER (SUGAR) STORED ON DRY STORAGE SHELF WITH SEASONINGS IN THE KITCHEN. THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES.
37
74
Jan 6, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE UTILITY CLOSET AND REMOVE UNNECESSATY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
55
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SODA AND JUICES STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER FRONT COUNTER AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
90
Jan 10, 2022
License
No violations found.
100
Dec 6, 2021
License
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAFF TOILET NOT CONNECTED TO PLUMBING.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
53
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT HAND SINK IN STAFF TOILET ROOM.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
54
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT REAR HAND SINK IN STAFF TOILET ROOM.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND SINK AND STAFF TOILET ROOM .
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE AND WORN DOOR GASKET ON 3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP SINK DRAIN LINE PIPE NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED TO CITY PLUMBING.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN BOTH UNISEX TOILET ROOMS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST MAKE WALL SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE NEXT TO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION IN STAFF TOILET ROOM.
56
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria La Ciudad last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria La Ciudad on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria La Ciudad?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taqueria La Ciudad.
Has Taqueria La Ciudad's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taqueria La Ciudad have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria La Ciudad 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 Taqueria La Ciudad inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria La Ciudad is inspected around two times per year on average.
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