Taqueria La Zacatecana
Last inspected: Sep 30, 2025
67
Score
TAQUERIA LA ZACATECANA, located at 3024 N California Ave in Chicago, IL, underwent a moderate-risk inspection on 2025-09-30, resulting in a score of 67. The inspection identified eight minor violations, with notable issues concerning adequate handwashing sinks, and the cleanliness and design of food and non-food contact surfaces. Across 24 previous scored inspections, TAQUERIA LA ZACATECANA has historically maintained a medium-risk classification.
24
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 30, 2025
Reinspection
8 minor violations.
67
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
Nov 22, 2024
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
78
Nov 15, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
70
Jul 13, 2023
Routine
6 minor violations.
74
Aug 24, 2022
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
86
Aug 17, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
64
Aug 30, 2021
Reinspection
7 minor violations.
70
Aug 23, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
52
Sep 16, 2020
Routine
7 minor violations.
70
Aug 12, 2019
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
78
Aug 8, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
67
Mar 22, 2018
Complaint
3 minor violations.
86
Jun 30, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
86
Mar 14, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Mar 27, 2015
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
90
Mar 19, 2015
Routine
7 minor violations.
70
May 12, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Apr 12, 2013
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
86
Apr 5, 2013
Routine
8 minor violations.
67
May 15, 2012
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
90
May 8, 2012
Routine
9 minor violations.
64
Feb 1, 2011
Routine
8 minor violations.
67
Feb 5, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
82
Violations — Sep 30, 2025 Inspection
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN THE MAIN PREP AREA TO BE DISFIGURED AND MELTED NEAR THE STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARD WITH BOARD MADE OF MATERIAL THAT CAN WITHSTAND HEAT AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL SHAPE AND FUNCTION UNDER NORMAL KITCHEN CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CENTRAL COUNTER (ALONG MAIN PREP AREA) CONSTRUCTED OF EXPOSED, UNSEALED WOOD ON NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO TREAT OR PAINT WOOD OR REPLACE WITH MATERIAL TO MAINTAIN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE IN THE FRONT PREP AREA STORED ON MILK CRATES DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MILK CRATES TO ELEVATE FIXED ICE MACHINE AT LEAST 6" ABOVE THE FLOOR TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT IN THE OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLE STORAGE ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS AND NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN OUTDOOR WASTE ENCLOSURE FREE FROM CLUTTER.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ALONG CEILING SURFACE OF WALK-IN COOLER AREA, NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE PAINT TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL FACILITY SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH DUST AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DUST, DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA TO BE IN POOR REPAIR, LIGHTING OF INSUFFICIENT INTENSITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE REAR STORAGE AREA LIGHT FIXTURE TO MAINTAIN LIGHTING OF ADEQUATE INTENSITY FOR THIS AREA.
56
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
Nearby Restaurants