TAQUITOS CHICAGO
3792 W 79TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60652 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
TAQUITOS CHICAGO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 5, 2025. The most recent inspection, on July 15, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 15, 2026. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
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 18, 2026. For example:
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 15, 2026. For example:
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
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 once on July 10, 2025. 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 once on February 5, 2025. 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.
4 inspections
- Complaint
4 infractions
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COLD HOLDING UNIT TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD IN THE DINING AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE SHELVING UNDERNEATH THE FLAT TOP AND GRILL TO REMOVE SPILL AND DEBRIS, ALSO CLEAN THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
- 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
- OBSERVED THE FILTERS AND HOOD DIRTY ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLERS TO MONITOR AMBIENT TEMP.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF REACH IN COLD HOLDING UNIT TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD IN THE DINING AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- Canvass
5 infractions
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- OBSERVED FOIL BEING USED AS A COVERING IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, PAINT OR STAIN WOOD AS A MEANS OF MAKING EASY TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- OBSERVED LOWER REACH IN COOLING UNITS WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON BASE FLOOR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET AT THE REAR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
- 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
- OBSERVED BOTH TOILET ROOMS WITH TRASH RECEPTACLES WITHOUT LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED WALL SPLATTER AT THE REAR PREP TABLE IN THE REAR BY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL WALLS IN AREA.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- License
1 infraction
- 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
- MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE
- 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
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