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TACO BELL

4614 S DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TACO BELL has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 19, 2019. The most recent inspection, on January 30, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 30, 2026. 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 February 26, 2021. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 February 26, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 21, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 23, 2024. 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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Heavy dust buildup noted on walk-in cooler cooling pipes, instructed to clean and maintain.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • 3-comp sink not maintained, leaky drain pipe noted at middle compartment, instructed to repair and maintain.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK DRAIN PLUMBING TO BE IN POOR REPAIR, SLOW-DRAINING BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK DRAIN PLUMBING TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE DRAINAGE AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL INDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES FILLED WITH FOOD WASTE UNCOVERED IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA (NEAR EXTERIOR DOOR). INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN INDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES THAT ARE FULL OR CONTAIN FOOD RESIDUE AND ARE NOT CONTINUOUS USE COVERED, OR MOVE REFUSE TO OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES WHEN INDOOR REFUSE CONTAINERS ARE FULL.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT START TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TACOS BEING MADE. THE DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE, WHO IS PHYSICALLY ON SITE, MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION LICENSE. VIOLATION CORRECTED ON SITE; THE CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER, JOSE SEGARRA ARRIVED ON SITE APPROX AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE TOP OF ICE MACHINE IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
  5. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS ON WALK IN COOLER AND WALK IN FREEZER FAN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE ON FREEZER FLOOR, CEILING AND FAN UNIT.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, DE ICE, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE ON FREEZER FLOOR. OBSERVED DEBRIS UNDER POP CADDY BY DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND POP CADDY IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF PARKING LOT DOORS.MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON WALK IN COOLER FAN GAURD COVERS,COUNTER TOP UNDERNEATH SODA MACHINE IN DRIVE-THRU.MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM SOME SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN FREEZER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER SYRUP CADDY AND ICE BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREEZER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS NEAR SODA CADDY.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR, SHELVING AND WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDESATION UNIT.
  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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