Velvet Taco
Last inspected: Sep 23, 2025
95
Score
Across the available record, Velvet Taco has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2019. The most recent report on file is from Sep 23, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Velvet Taco on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARD BOARD BOXES IN HALLWAY BY REAR DOOR. MUST REMOVE.
55
95
Jun 10, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE HIGH HEAT DISH MACHINE IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER PURCHASED TEMPERATURE PLATE AND PROVIDED PROOF OF PURCHASE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.
48
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDLES OF SCOOPS IN DRY STORAGE BINS TO BE IN CONTACT WITH CONTENTS IN REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HANDLES ARE NOT STORED IN CONTACT WITH CONTENTS.
43
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSEREVED MOPS STORED IN THE UTILITY SINK IN REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE MOPS SO THEY MAY DRY AND NOT SOIL FLOORS, WALLS, AND EQUIPMENT IN BETWEEN USE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR BELOW 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN CORNER NEXT TO SINK TO BE SOILED WITH HEAVY FOOD RESIDUE BUILD UP AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA OF FOOD RESIDUE AND FOOD DEBRIS.
55
78
Feb 8, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.PROVIDE RAISED SHELVES
47
95
Nov 3, 2021
Routine
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON-SITE FROM CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR A MOP COOK, BAG, CHILL, REHEAT PROCEDURE. RECIPES AFFECTED ARE BRISKET, CHICKEN PORK SALSAS, AND SAUCES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 MODIFIED OXYGEN MACHINE MACHINE AND FOOD WERE TAGGED. CITATION ISSUED
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VARIANCE OBTAINED FROM THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS, INCLUDING COOKING, THEN BAGGING (IN A MODIFIED OXYGEN ENVIRONMENT), THEN CHILLING AND REHEATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 REFERS TO VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION.
32
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ONE ON-SITE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE. OBSERVED NO CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE. MUST HAVE SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTHN POLICIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL PREPACKAGED CAKE NEEDS A LABEL CONTAINING THE PRODUCT'S COMMON NAME, INGREDIENT LIST, NAME, AND ADDRESS OF THE FACILITY WHERE PACKAGED.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT STORED IN SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING CONDITION UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
58
55
Sep 22, 2020
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL FOOD HANDLER TRAINNING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED
57
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.HAIR RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED IN PREP AREA.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.PROVIDED RAISED SHELF
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: STORED ON FLOOR UNUSED AND USED ITEMS IN REAR HALLWAY BY THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED 6"OFF THE FLOOR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GREASE ON FLOOR UNDER DEEP FRYERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT ,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES BAGS, STORED AT REAR PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE AREA/LOCKER FOR EMPLOYEE PERSONAL ITEMS. NO EMPLOYEE PERSONAL ITEMS MUST BE STORED IN PREP AREA
56
74
Dec 6, 2019
Reinspection
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOUS VIDE MACHINE ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN HAACP/VARIANCE FOR ALL SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESSES PERFORMED ONSITE. (SEE COMMENTS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #29
32
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR VENTILATION IN GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS. To keep rooms free of obnoxious odors, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided as required by LAW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
57
70
Dec 4, 2019
Reinspection
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOUS VIDE MACHINE ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN HAACP/VARIANCE FOR ALL SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESSES PERFORMED ONSITE. (SEE COMMENTS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
29
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF TOILET FACILITIES ONSITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
53
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #29
32
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR VENTILATION IN GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS. To keep rooms free of obnoxious odors, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided as required by LAW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
57
64
Nov 14, 2019
License
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOUS VIDE MACHINE ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN HAACP/VARIANCE FOR ALL SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESSES PERFORMED ONSITE. (SEE COMMENTS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
29
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED THAT RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS MUST CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED PEST COMPANY FOR PEST INSPECTIONS AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) NO CITATION ISSUED.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF TOILET FACILITIES ONSITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
53
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #29.
32
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR UNFINISHED WALL IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREA, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR VENTILATION IN GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS. To keep rooms free of obnoxious odors, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided as required by LAW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE.
58
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Velvet Taco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Velvet Taco on file is from Sep 23, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Velvet Taco?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Velvet Taco.
Has Velvet Taco's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Velvet Taco have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Velvet Taco 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 Velvet Taco inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Velvet Taco is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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