TACO EL UNICO
12920 S ATLANTIC AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221 · RESTAURANT (31-60) SEATS HIGH RISK
Inspection summary
TACO EL UNICO has been inspected 3 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since October 19, 2023. The most recent inspection, on March 4, 2025, recorded 7 infractions.
None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.
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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example:
PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example:
FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example:
PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example:
EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example:
FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
About this data
These results come from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, 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.
3 inspections
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
7 infractions
- F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- 1 point
- F014: # 14. FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
- 2 points
- F036: # 36. EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
- 1 point
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
- 2 points
- F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
6 infractions
- F036: # 36. EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
- 1 point
- F038: # 38. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
- 1 point
- F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
- 2 points
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F039: # 39. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
- 1 point
- F036: # 36. EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 infractions
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
- 1 point
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
Nearby inspected facilities
- PAN ESTILO COPALA GUERRERO
12919 S ATLANTIC AVE UNIT B, COMPTON, CA 90221
2 inspections
- JUGOS EL TROPICAL
12914 S ATLANTIC AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221
2 inspections
- KIMKIM LY INC SUPER WOK
12919 S ATLANTIC AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221
1 inspection
- ANTOJITO JUICE BAR
12919 ATLANTIC AVE D, COMPTON, CA 90221
2 inspections
- VIVA JALISCO
14309 S ATLANTIC AVE STE 103, COMPTON, CA 90221
2 inspections
- DONUT HOUSE
14309 S ATLANTIC AVE STE 101, COMPTON, CA 90221
1 inspection
- 7-ELEVEN #27161D
4417 E ROSECRANS AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221
2 inspections
- UNITED BROTHERS 3 INC
4502 E ROSECRANS AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221
3 inspections