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CAPITAL TACO

5753 W BELMONT AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60634 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAPITAL TACO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 21, 2024. The most recent inspection, on May 26, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2026. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on May 19, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on February 21, 2024. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on February 21, 2024. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 26, 2026. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(CHICKEN, BEEF). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. PERSON IN CHARGE ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 11:45 AM.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(CHICKEN, BEEF). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. CFM ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 11:45 AM.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED SHREDDED BEEF AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 50F IN WALK IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED NUMEROUS CONTAINERS OF COOKED SHREDDED CHICKEN AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 49F, CHEESE AT 52F, AND HOT DOGS AT 48F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. FOOD DISCARDED. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 40 LBS AT A COST OF $300.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED PREP TABLE WITH BLENDER AND CUTTING BOARD NEXT TO THE HAND SINK IN KITCHEN. MUST INSTALL A DURABLE SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK TO PREVENT ANY SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION OR REMOVE PREP TABLE IN DIFFERENT AREA AWAY FROM HAND SINK.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 6-4-2025, REPORT #2618627. 47--OBSERVED FROZEN PORTIONED FOODS STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE NO VALID PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE. A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED AT 2:45. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A CERTIFIED MANAGER SHALL BE ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING, AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN PORTIONED FOODS STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
  4. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO KEEP AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE IS MADE AWARE BY THEIR EMPLOYEES INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE AND NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN A KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO DRAIN STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DRAINS STOPPERS FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE GAPS IN THE CEILING ABOVE THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO SMOOTHLY SEAL ALL GAPS AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT SHIELD FOR THE CEILING LIGHT ABOVE THE PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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