Tzuco / Tales / Panango
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2025
78
Score
Going back to 2019, Tzuco / Tales / Panango has nine inspections in the public record. Tzuco / Tales / Panango was last inspected on Mar 25, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to six violations.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “allergen training as required”, showing up four 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.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF DOCK DOOR IN DUMPSTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS SHELF LINER THROUGHOUT FACILITY ON BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLES. OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS SHELF LINER ON PREP TABLES NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN REAR PREP AREA AND IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL SHELF LINERS, FOOD AND NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL AMOUNT OF DEBRIS ON FLOOR OUTSIDE OF DUMPSTERS IN DUMPSTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS SURROUNDING DUMPSTERS AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON SMOOTH/DAMAGED AREAS OF FLOOR SURROUNDING TWO FLOOR DRAINS IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THE DISH MACHINE AND RINSE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR NON SMOOTH/DAMAGED AREAS OF FLOOR SURROUNDING TWO FLOOR DRAINS IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THE DISH MACHINE AND RINSE SINK. OBSERVED OPENING IN LOWER WALL OUTSIDE OF EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR LOWER WALL OUTSIDE OF EMPLOYEE WASHROOM FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED MISSING CEILING VENT COVERS ON VENTS ABOVE UTILITY SINK AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL CEILING VENT COVERS ABOVE UTILITY SINK AND IN LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
58
78
Jul 15, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOUBLE GLASS DOOR. OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF RIGHT SIDE OF EASTSIDE PATIO ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED UTENSILS(KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS)STORED LAYING DOWN IN BINS IN DINING AREA ACROSS FROM BAR AND IN BARISTA AREA. INSTRUCTED UTENSILS SHALL BE STORED WITH HANDLES UP OR COVERED.
44
90
Jul 8, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IMPROPERLY SANTIZING AT A CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM CHLORINE. CORRECTED ON SITE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE REPAIRED BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION, SANITIZING PROPERLY AT A CONCENTRATION OF 50PPM CHLORINE AFTER REPAIR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED
16
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF 87.3F AT HANDWASHING SINK IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. CORRECTED ON SITE HANDWASHING SINK REPAIRED BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION, OBSERVED PROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF 107.1F ATHANDWASHING SINK IN ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AFTER REPAIR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRESH MUSSELS IN CONTAINER IN WALK IN COOLER WITH NO SHELLSTOCK TAG IN CONTAINER. CORRECTED ON SITE CONTAINER OF FRESH MUSSELS VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED BY MANAGEMENT,VALUED AT $20 AND WEIGHING 9LBS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
14
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY NOT MEETING COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS IN FACILITY NOTED REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING ALL STORED IN WALK IN COOLER DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT DOCUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY CDPH BEFORE PERFORMING SUCH SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESSES. MUST BE MAINTAINED.TAGGED UNITS, INCLUDING PACKAGING MATERIAL AND THREE CONTAINERS OF VACUUM SEALED FOODS TAGGED AND RELOCATED TO WALK IN FREEZER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION COMBINED WITH VIOLATION #29
32
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VARIANCE/HACCP PLAN APPROVAL ON SITE FOR VACUUM SEALING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS FOUND IN WALK IN COOLER. CORRECTED ON SITE THREE CONTAINERS OF VACUUM SEALED FOOD TAGGED AND RELOCATED TO WALK IN FREEZER OF 1 CONTAINER OF LAMB($600/35LBS), 1 CONTAINER OF BEEF SHORT RIBS($169/20LBS) AND 1 CONTAINER OF BEEF TINGA($45/20LBS) INSTRUCTED SITE NOT TO USE VACUUM SEAL MACHINES INFORMED SITE THAT TO USE SAID MACHINE, A HACCP PLAN/VARIANCE MUST BE OBTAINED BY CDPH. TWO MACHINES TAGGED DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED SITE NOT TO USE MACHINES NOR VACUUM SEAL FOODS UNTIL HACCP PLAN/VARIANCE IS SUBMITTED TO CDPH AND APPROVAL GRANTED FROM CDPDH. INSTRUCTED SITE TO CONTACT CDPH FOR TAG REMOVAL OF VACUUM SEALED FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
29
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOUBLE GLASS DOOR. OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF RIGHT SIDE OF EASTSIDE PATIO ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UTENSILS(KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS)STORED LAYING DOWN IN BINS IN DINING AREA ACROSS FROM BAR AND IN BARISTA AREA. INSTRUCTED UTENSILS SHALL BE STORED WITH HANDLES UP OR COVERED.
44
37
Sep 18, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND CUSTOMERS WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
10
95
Sep 27, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
90
Aug 26, 2020
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA: CHICKEN AT 45.5F, HAMBURGERS AT 47.8F, BEEF AT 47.7F, CHICKEN AT 47.7F, AND STEAK AT 52.3F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 25LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $700. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORD THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
82
Jul 23, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 16, 2020
Complaint
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME THROUGHOUT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE USED TO PRODUCE ICE COMING IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH RAW PROTEINS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, BURN 3 LOADS OF ICE, AND MAINTAIN FREE OF SLIME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE CUTTING BOARD ALONG MAIN HOT LINE IN REAR PREP AREA COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 OF THE 4 WASHBOWL SINKS LOCATED IN RESTROOM AREA MAINTAINING LOW WATER PRESSURE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SO THAT ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE IS AVAILABLE WHEN ALL WASHBOWL SINKS ARE IN USE.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE AMOUNT OF FLIES IN DUMPSTER LOCATED IN REAR LOADING DOCK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO POWER WASH DUMPSTER TO MAINTAIN A PEST FREE ENVIRONMENT.
54
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORD THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
74
Sep 6, 2019
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: no allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.
58
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tzuco / Tales / Panango last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tzuco / Tales / Panango on file is from Mar 25, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tzuco / Tales / Panango?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tzuco / Tales / Panango.
Has Tzuco / Tales / Panango's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tzuco / Tales / Panango have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tzuco / Tales / Panango 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 Tzuco / Tales / Panango inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tzuco / Tales / Panango is inspected around two times per year on average.
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