Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cascabel Taco Joint

Name: Cascabel Taco Joint
Address: 2943 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL

2943 W Irving Park Rd

Last inspected Feb 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Feb 9, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICEBUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACES OF CHEST FREEZER.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAIR AND PROVIDE INTENSITY LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SIT AT ALL TIMES.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 6, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 6, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Jul 15, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISH WASHING/PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIRS.NO COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. WATER WAS TURNED OFF AT THE BASE CONNECTION BECAUSE OF ANOTHER CONNECTION ON THE SAME LINE FOR THE ICE MACHINE. WHEN THE COLD RUNNING WARE PIPE IS OPEN IT FLOODS THE WHOLE KITCHEN/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DISCONNECT PIPE AND PROVIDE COLD RUNNING WATER INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAND HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK AT ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY #7-38-030(C).5-205.11. NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIRS WITH MISSING KNOB AT THE HOT WATER FAUCET(WATER THEREFORE TURNED OFF).INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAND HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK AT ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY #7-38-030(C).

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 15, 2024 · Original Source