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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Paco's Tacos

4311 S Archer Ave

Last inspected Feb 25, 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

Complaint

Feb 25, 2026

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOAP DISPENSER FOR HANDWASHING SINK INSTALLED ABOVE LEFT DRAINBOARD OF TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE AND REINSTALL SOAP DISPENSER SO THAT IT SHALL NOT CONTAMINATE FOOD OR EQUIPMENT ON LEFT DRAINBOARD OF TWO COMPARTMENT SINK.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EQUIPMENT STORED ON SHELF UNDERNEATH WASTE WATER PIPE IN UTILITY CLOSET WITH HOT WATER TANK. INSTRUCTED TO ENCASE WASTE WATER PIPE OR RELOCATE SHELF AND EQUIPMENT ON SHELF TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PREMISES.

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 ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON THE BACK OF FLAT TOP GRILL AND IN INTERIOR OF TWO DISPLAY CASES CONTAINING CHICHARRON IN FRONT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL LINERS FROM SAID PIECES OF EQUIPMENT NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION-RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED SODA CRATES USED TO ELEVATE BOXES OF SODA IN BASEMENT 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

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET AT TWO COMPARTMENT SINK IN FIRST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AT TWO COMPARTMENT SINK IN FIRST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNUSED LARGE MEAT SLICER STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHEMNT SUCH AS EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.

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 DIMLY LIT BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOOR WALK IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY IN BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOOR WALK IN COOLERS. OBSERVED NO LIGHT BULBS IN HOOD IN FIRST FLOOR FRONT PREP AREA ABOVE COOKLINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LIGHT BULDS IN HOOD IN FIRST FLOOR FRONT PREP AREA ABOVE COOKLINE TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY IN SAID AREA.

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, Feb 25, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 14, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING IN WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEANING.

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 AT FAUCET HANDLES ON 2-COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 14, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 26, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BACK UP AT THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. WASTE WATER BACKS UP INTO ALTERNATE COMPARTMENTS WHEN THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED. OBSERVED SEEPAGE A TOP OF GREASE TRAP AS WELL WHEN WATER IS RELEASED, CAUSING WASTE WATER TO LEAK ONTO FLOOR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED. (FOOD MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE DURING INSPECTION).

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 26, 2024 · Original Source

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