Canvass Re-Inspection
Jan 22, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 22, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
El Rey Del Taco & Burritos
4835-4837 S Archer Ave
Last inspected Jan 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
4 inspectionsCanvass
Jan 15, 2026
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.1-63.1F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, RICE(47.7F), PORK(45.1-50.5F), MILK(48.7F), CHICKEN(46.0F), BEEF(46.8-59.2F), SHREDDED CHEESE(47.8F), BEANS(63.1F) AND SHREDDED LETTUCE(46.6F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $400 WEIGHING 100LBS. CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION ABOVE PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 25Food temperature
Official wording
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER WITH NO ASTERISK IDENTIFYING THEM AS SUCH. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO UPDATE DISCLOSURE ON MENU TO STATE THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF WEST SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsnotedCode 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SCOOP USED FOR DISPENSING TORTILLA CHIPS STORED ON TOP OF BOX OF WAX PAPER PREP TABLE IN DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO STORE SCOOP FOR TORTILLA CHIPS DURING PAUSES IN DISPENSING WITHIN CONTAINER WITH THE HANDLE ABOVE THE TOP OF FOOD OR IN A CLEAN PROTECTED LOCATION.
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 issuesnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED RICE AND BEEF STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN HOT HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND STORE FOOD IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS. EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO BE DURABLE AND TO RETAIN THEIR CHARACTERISTIC QUALITIES UNDER NORMAL USE CONDITIONS.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA NEAR LARGE TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT AND HOT WATER TANK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN FACILITY 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 problemsnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
AT TIME OF INSPECTION PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ONE FOOD HANDLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 15, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
May 15, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
4 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN UPRIGHT COOLER: LARGE, DEEP, TIGHLY COVERED PANS OF RICE (54.2) AND STEAK (55.4F) COOKED YESTERDAY. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. RICE AND STEAK DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 15LBS $100 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 33Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s notes
IMPROPER COOLING METHODS BEING USED TO COOL TCS FOODS (RICE, STEAK) When placed in cooling or cold holding EQUIPMENT, FOOD containers in which FOOD is being cooled shall be: (1) Arranged in the EQUIPMENT to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and (2) Loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination as specified under Subparagraph 3-305.11(A)(2), during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the FOOD.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTD TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE
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 issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 15, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jul 8, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TWO CONTAINERS OF BEEF IN PREP AREA IN WHITE BUCKETS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 64.9F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL COLD-HELD FOODS MUST BE AT 41F OR BELOW. THE PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 35LBS OF BEEF FOR $150. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED PAINT BUBBLED ON WALL ABOVE DOORWAY NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR SMOOTHLY AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 8, 2024 · Original Source