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TAQUERIA EL 5 DE MAYO

2415 W MONTROSE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA EL 5 DE MAYO has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 20, 2022. The most recent inspection, on May 28, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 May 16, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 May 16, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 13 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on May 28, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; 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 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 28, 2026. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • 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 October 18, 2024. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED ABOVE NOT TO USE TAPE AS MEANS OF REPAIR ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA AND REAR SIDE EXIT DOOR. MUST REMOVE TAPE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE APPROVED SHELVING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DOOR GASKET DAMAGED AT THE REAR 2-DOOR TALL REFRIGERATOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA, SITTING AREA AND FRONT ENTRANCE AREA. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES
  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DOOR GASKET DAMAGED AT THE REAR 2-DOOR TALL REFRIGERATOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED ABOVE NOT TO USE TAPE AS MEANS OF REPAIR ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA AND REAR SIDE EXIT DOOR. MUST REMOVE TAPE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE APPROVED SHELVING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING IN FRONT SITTING AREA AND INSIDE ALL CEILING VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH DRY STORAGE SHELVING ON THE BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2615369 ON 04/08/2025. #55. OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. #55. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON FLOORS AND ON WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BASEMENT STORAGE AREA WITH CLUTTER AND ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED OFF OF FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED TWO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT HOLD A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE OBTAINS ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE PREP COOLER INFRONT PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO LABEL SOME FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (CHILI, SALT ETC)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN FRONT, REAR PREP AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHTBULBS IN REAR PREP AREA TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING.
  6. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED LOOSE CENTER DOOR FRAME OF THE REAR 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT UTILITY MOP SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT MIDDLE OF DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.

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