Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Taconzazo

Name: El Taconzazo
Address: 5145 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

5145 S Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Nov 7, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

5 inspections

Canvass

Nov 7, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOOD NOT MEETING REQUIRE TEMPERATURED OF 135F DEGREES OR ABOVE IN THE DESIGNATED HOT-HOLDING UNIT: BEEF AT 74.5F, CHICKEN AT 51.4F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 5 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $25 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. 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 temperature

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FACILITY NOT MEETING THAWING REQUIREMENTS. MANAGER THAWING FROZEN BEEF IN HOT HOLDING UNIT. INFORMED MANAGER OF PROPER THAWING METHODS (MUST THAW UNDER RUNNING WATER OR IN REFRIGERATOR). MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS STORAGE IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE THAT IS SMOOTH 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 problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ON SIDE AND INSIDE OF FRYER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN MIDDLE BASIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PIC WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

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, Nov 7, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Apr 25, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B) OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE REAR COLD HOLD UNIT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLD UNITS.

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

4-501.11 OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN COLD HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-602.13 OBSERVED BUILD UP OF SPILLAGE AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR OF COLD HOLD UNITS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO 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

4-202.18 OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP OF FILTERS IN VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 25, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Apr 18, 2024

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PORK BEING THAWED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE MUST UTILIZE RUNNING WATER WITH ENOUGH VOLATILITY WHEN THAWING. MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF SPILLAGE AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR OF COLD HOLD UNITS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO 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 GREASE BUILD UP OF FILTERS IN VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A PINK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE MACHINE, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD (2LBS OF SHRIMP) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 60F LOCATED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL TCS FOOD AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN REAR COLD HOLD UNIT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLD UNITS.

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

OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN COLD HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 18, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 16, 2023

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

UNDERNEATH AND SIDE OF FLAT TOP GRILL WITH EXCESSIVE GREAES ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.12: OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP GROOVES THROUGH OUT PREMISES. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 16, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 6, 2023

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP GROOVES THROUGH OUT PREMISES. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

2 LIVE ROACHES OBSERVED ON STORAGE SHELVES IN FRONT PREP AREA AND 2 LIVE ROACHES IN STORAGE CABINETS UNDER FRONT COUNTER. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL ROACHES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A) PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 insects

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

THE FOLLOWING WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION: UNDERNEATH AND SIDE OF FLAT TOP GRILL, INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE AND SHELF UNDERNEATH, ALL SURFACES UNDERNEATH ALL CUTTING BOARDS, ALL PREP TABLES, KNIFE RACK, CAN OPENER, INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS INCLUDING RUBBER GASKETS, AND ALL STORAGE SHELVES. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN. EXCESSIVE BLACK SUBSTANCE NOTED ON CAULKING AROUND FRONT HANDWASH SINK. INSTD TO CLEAN AND OR REPLACE CAULKING 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 8/31/22 REPORT 2563006 NOT CORRECTED: 15: FOUND UNCOVERED CONTAINERS OF FOOD INSIDE 3-DOOR COOLER AND BEVERAGE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROTECT FOODS IN A CONTAINER OR FOOD GRADE STORAGE. ADVISED TO ADD SIGN "NO SELF SERVICE" AT BEVERAGE COOLER, MAINTAIN. 37 : FOUND BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED (SPICES, RICE ETC). MUST LABEL FOODS WHEN STORED IN UNORIGINAL CONTAINERS, MAINTAIN. 43 : FOUND SMALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER USED AS SCOOP INSIDE BULK SPICE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSIL AND STORE PROPERLY, MAINTAIN. 44: FOUND POTS AND PANS IN DISH AREA NOT INVERTED. MUST INVERT WHILE STORED. 47: FOUND TORN GASKET IN 3-DOOR REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. 49 : FOUND PAPER TOWELS LINED ON PREP SHELVES, AND CARDBOARD LINED ON FLOORS IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN, MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090 PRIORITY FOUNDATION