Skip to content
Loading map…

MARKOS TACOS & CAFE

3009 W CERMAK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MARKOS TACOS & CAFE has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 9, 2010. The most recent inspection, on October 18, 2011, found no infractions.

2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 13, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 April 13, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 April 6, 2011. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 9, 2010. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 15 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 13, 2011. For example: CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    12 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED,HANDLED & SERVED AT THIS TIME.MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Inspector Comments: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL & DATE COOKED FOODS IN COOLER.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Inspector Comments: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR PROPERLY.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST REPLACE ATTACHED WORN CUTTING BOARD AT STEAM TABLE.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF STEAM TABLE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Inspector Comments: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM GRILL TABLE,DEEP FRYER,STOVE,HOOD,FILTERS,INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE,MICROWAVE,USED & UNUSED EQUIPMENT,ALL SHELVING UNITS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Inspector Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED& MISSING FLOOR TILES,FLOOR VENT THROUGHOUT & GROUT THE SAME.MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Inspector Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST CLEAN WALLS THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED & MISSING CEILING TILES,LOOSE WALL BASES THROUGHOUT,WORN DOOR SWEEP ON FRONT DOOR.MUST PROVIDE DOOR SWEEP ON INTERIOR DOOR LEADING TO BASEMENT.MUST SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES,HOLES IN WALLS WHERE NEEDED.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Inspector Comments: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • Inspector Comments: Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated.MUST REPLACE MISSING SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • Inspector Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Inspector Comments: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.CLUTTER ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES & THROUGHOUT.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.
  3. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health.OBSERVED FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK NOT LONG ENOUGH TO REACH FAR LEFT & RIGHT COMPARTMENTS OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH,RINSE,SANITIZE MULITUSE UTENSILS.MUST PROVIDE & MAINTAIN.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL & DATE COOKED FOODS IN COOLER.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR PROPERLY.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST REPLACE ATTACHED WORN CUTTING BOARD AT STEAM TABLE.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF STEAM TABLE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM GRILL TABLE,DEEP FRYER,STOVE,HOOD,FILTERS,INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE,MICROWAVE,USED & UNUSED EQUIPMENT,ALL SHELVING UNITS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED& MISSING FLOOR TILES,FLOOR VENT THROUGHOUT & GROUT THE SAME.MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST CLEAN WALLS THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED & MISSING CEILING TILES,LOOSE WALL BASES THROUGHOUT,WORN DOOR SWEEP ON FRONT DOOR.MUST PROVIDE DOOR SWEEP ON INTERIOR DOOR LEADING TO BASEMENT.MUST SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES,HOLES IN WALLS WHERE NEEDED.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated.MUST REPLACE MISSING SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.CLUTTER ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES & THROUGHOUT.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. License

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. PREP FOODS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; COOLERS AND CHEST FREEZER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS INSIDE CLOSET AND THRU-OUT BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPAIR WALL IN FRONT OF GRILL FRONT COOKING AREA, AND CLEAN WALL SAME AREA. ALSO CLEAN FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT SAME AREA AND REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES THRU-OUT.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THRU-OUT STORAGE CLOSET AND BASEMENT, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website