Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2026
90
Score
Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez has been inspected six times since 2024. On Feb 24, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about five violations before that.
“Adequate ventilation & lighting” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CORN TORTILLAS STORED IN A GROCERY BAG IN THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE FRONT SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO STORE TORILLAS IN SINGLE SERVICE BAGS AND TO INSTEAD STORE IN FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOPS STORED IN DISHWASHING/PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HANG WET MOPS TO ALLOW TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.
55
90
Apr 25, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 17, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED.THE LAST PEST INSPECTION REPORT WAS DATED 12/19/2023.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTION REPORTS PER YEAR AS REQUIRED AND MAINTAIN THEM IN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C),CITATION ISSUED.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE WOMEN WASHROOM.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DUST ON THE VENTILATION COVERS INSIDE THE WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
78
Apr 2, 2024
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING SPLASHGUARD AT UTILITY MOP SINK.INTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AT LEFT SIDE OF THE UTILITY MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN.
39
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-603.15/ OBSERVED LARGE POT USED TO COOK CARNITAS IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE POTS OR PROVIDE SMALLER POTS THAT CAN BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
48
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11--INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT BULB AT FRONT COUNTER SERVICE AREA AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--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.
58
78
Jan 23, 2024
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-603.15/ OBSERVED LARGE POT USED TO COOK CARNITAS IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE POTS OR PROVIDE SMALLER POTS THAT CAN BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
48
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11/ INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT BULB AT FRONT COUNTER SERVICE AREA AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13/ OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13/ 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.
58
82
Jan 9, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKED (TCS FOODS) PORK CARNITAS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES STORED ON THE FOOD PREP COUNTER.INTERNAL TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM (112.6F-126.3F).MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 15#'S OF FOOD WORTH $200.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO HOT HOLD (TCS FOODS) AT 135F OR HOTTER AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
21
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN THE KITCHEN PREP WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE POT USED TO COOK CARNITAS IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE POTS OR PROVIDE SMALLER POTS THAT CAN BE SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
48
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT BULB AT FRONT COUNTER SERVICE AREA AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN.
57
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.
58
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez on file is from Feb 24, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez.
Has Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez 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 Y Carnitas Don Valdez inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria Y Carnitas Don Valdez is inspected around three times per year on average.
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