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TAQUERIA EL DORADO

3246 W LAWRENCE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAQUERIA EL DORADO has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 11, 2021. The most recent inspection, on February 23, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 28, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times on June 25, 2025. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 February 28, 2024. For example: PROPER 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 February 28, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on June 25, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEMS (FRIED PLANTAINS, REFRIED BEANS) IN THE KITCHEN AREA 1-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER MISSING ADEQUATE DATE LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO DENATUR AND DISCARD FOOD WITHOUT DATE LABELS AND PROVIDE DATE LABELS OR MARKINGS ON ALL TCS FOOD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE PREPARED FOOD DOES NOT EXCEED 7 DAYS BEFORE DISPOSITION AND MAINTAIN. APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $35.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED FOOD WITHOUT DATE LABELS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED TO-GO CONTAINERS OF FLAN AND JELLO MADE ON-SITE BY FACILITY STAFF MISSING APPROPRIATE FOOD LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD LABELS FOR TO-GO ITEMS INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE FOOD, THE NAME OF THE FACILITY, AND THE ADDRESS OF THE FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (JALAPENOS, ONIONS, CHILES) IN CONTAINERS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN FOOD AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED CONDENSATE WATER LINE OF 1-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER DISCHARGING INTO BUCKET ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RE-ROUTE OR REPLACE WATER LINE AND MAINTAIN CONDENSATE DRAINAGE THAT ROUTES DIRECTLY FROM POINT OF DISCHARGE TO DISPOSAL INTO PLUMBING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON GROUND IMMEDIATELY OUTSIDE REAR FACILITY DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OUTDOOR AREAS OF FACILITY AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE OR OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HAND SINKS (PREP, WASHROOM).
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR.OBSERVED COOKED REFRIED BEANS AT 55.9F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS) FOODS AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX.20 LBS OF FOOD WORTH $100.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED THE COOK WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS THE COOKING GRILL.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES NEAR THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL THE SHELVES SO THAT THEY SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND KITCHEN STORAGE RACKS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MANTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • FOUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND BOXES.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.LID/COVER MUST BE KEPT CLOSED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020,(b) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE REAR OF THE PREMISES NOT MAINTAINED STORING UNNECESSARY ARTICLES UNUSED COOLERS,SOILED CARDBOARD BOXES PILED UP,MOP BUCKETS,EMPTY BUCKETS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TOOLS ETC.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY MENTIONED ITEMS FROM THE PREMISES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREP/COOKING AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENTS.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIMEFRAME. REPORT #2560962 DATED JULY 19TH 2022 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO: REPAINT OR RESURFACE RUSTY RACKS IN COOLERS, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS; REPAIR (2) SLOW DRAINING HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP/ DISH AREA, AND CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND WALLS. OBSERVED RUSTY RACKS INSIDE VARIOUS COOLERS IN KITCHEN; OBSERVED VARIOUS COOLERS WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR; OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING HAND WASHING SINKS IN DISH AREA AND IN PREP AREA; OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AMONG FLOORS AND WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT ALL PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  7. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE RUSTY METAL RACKS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING (2) HANDSINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2509494 ISSUED ON 05-11-2021 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED #58 - OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
  8. License

    3 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • THERE IS NO WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A VENTILATION FAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

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