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EL BUENO TACOS

2300 S THROOP ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Mobile Prepared Food Vendor

Inspection summary

EL BUENO TACOS has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 18, 2018. The most recent inspection, on August 18, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 28, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 once on October 12, 2022. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on October 12, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 October 12, 2022. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on September 18, 2018. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

6 inspections

  1. License

    1 infraction

    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO GARBAGE WITH A LID ON GARBAGE ON VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. License

    1 infraction

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
  4. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • 4-301.11 OBSERVED A REFRIGERATION UNIT NOT MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. AT THE OF THE INSPECTION SAID UNIT WAS AT 60F. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS AT THE ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE HAND WASHING SINK AND A CEILING FAN SCREEN IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE HAND WASHING SINK AND REPAIR OR REPLACE CEILING FAN SCREEN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-201.11 OBSERVED TWO REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY SECURED WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY SECURE ALL EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • 4-301.12 OBSERVED INADEQUATE SINK STOPPERS IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  5. License

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.17 OBSERVED RAW WOODEN DOOR FRAME ON SCREEN DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RAW WOOD.
  6. License

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • VEHICLE MUST HAVE CORRECT LICENSE NUMBER ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AT LEAST TWO INCHES HIGH.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. GIVEN 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.

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