Restaurant · Chicago, IL

El Tarasco

Name: El Tarasco
Address: 4358 W 51st St, Chicago, IL

4358 W 51st St

Last inspected Aug 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 27, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19: OBSERVED BOTTLES STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT BAR AND CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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

5-205.15: OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM STOPPER OF RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT ONTO FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

5-501.116: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON EXTERIOR OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF GREASE CONTAINER 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-202.19: OBSERVED CHIPPING CEILING ABOVE SHELVING UNIT IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA WITH UPRIGHT FREEZERS.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPING CEILING IN SAID AREA, SMOOTHLY REPAIR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED PIPE TIED WITH PLASTIC ABOVE UPRIGHT FREEZER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT PIPE IN SAID AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, Aug 27, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 26, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

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

5-205.15: OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM STOPPER OF RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT ONTO FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

5-501.116: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON EXTERIOR OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF GREASE CONTAINER 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

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, Aug 26, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 21, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

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 46.2-59.0F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, CHICKEN(46.2-50.9F), HAM(52.2F), BEEF(46.6-51.8F) AND PORK(47.6-59.0F)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 $200 WEIGHING 30LBS 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT ACROSS FROM COOKLINE AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 51.1F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT ACROSS FROM COOKLINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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 BOTTLES STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT BAR AND CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 GREASE BUILDUP ON EXTERIOR SIDES OF FLAT TOP GRILL ON NORTHSIDE OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILDUP FROM EXTERIOR OF SAID COOKING EQUIPMENT 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 WATER LEAKING FROM STOPPER OF RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT ONTO FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON EXTERIOR OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF GREASE CONTAINER 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CHIPPING CEILING ABOVE SHELVING UNIT IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA WITH UPRIGHT FREEZERS.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPING CEILING IN SAID AREA, SMOOTHLY REPAIR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED PIPE TIED WITH PLASTIC ABOVE UPRIGHT FREEZER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT PIPE IN SAID AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, Aug 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 8, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

WHEELS OF FRYERS WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

REUSING SINGLE SERVICE COUNTRY CROCK BUTTER CONTAINERS FOR FOOD STORAGE. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS DESIGNED FOR MULTI USE.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

MISSING COMMON NAME ON DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS/SPICES. INSTD TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. INSTD TO STORE IN A CLEAN PROTECTED MANNER

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

BEVERAGE DRAIN LINE IMPROPERLY DRAINING INTO SINK (BASEMENT BAR). INSTD TO HAVE PROPERLY ROUTED/DRAINING 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 16, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.13(C) OBSERVED CLAY/CERAMIC CUPS ON PREMISES WITH NO DOCUMENTATION NOR STAMP, MAINTAINING THEM TO BE LEAD-FREE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES OR PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.

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, Aug 16, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 9, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLAY/CERAMIC CUPS ON PREMISES WITH NO DOCUMENTATION NOR STAMP MAINTAINING THEM TO BE LEAD-FREE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES OR PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.

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 DEEP ENCRUSTED GREASE AROUND BOTTOM OF GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2580548 DATED 8/23/23 NOT CORRECTED; #47-OBSERVED FACILITY USING LARGE 55-GALLON GARBAGE CONTAINERS TO MAKE AND PREPARE FOODS (SALSA). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN. #49-OBSERVED EXCESSIVE FOOD RESIDUE, GREASE BUILD UP, AND DEBRIS NOTED ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, SIDES, UNDERNEATH AND IN BETWEEN GRILLS, FRYERS, ALL ATTACHED DRIP TRAYS, ALL DOOR GASKETS FOR COOLERS AND FREEZERS, STORAGE SHELVES, AND ALL ATTACHED PIPING OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55-OBSERVED SPLATTER OF FOOD RESIDUE AND GREASE BUILD-UP WAS NOTED ON ALL THE WALLS AND ALONG WALL BASES BEHIND EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.