Complaint
Jun 24, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 24, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Taco Bell Cantina
5245 N Clark St
Last inspected Jun 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
5 inspectionsCanvass
Jan 26, 2026
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS OF THE PREP AREA. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF SINKS WERE 84.2F/91F. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C).
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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET AT THE BOTTOM DOOR OF THE WALK IN FREEZER AT THE BASMEMENT FOOD DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
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, Jan 26, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Feb 14, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
2-102.13 NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
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, Feb 14, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Feb 7, 2025
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s notes
NO EMPLOYEE VERIFIED WRITTEN HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. BUSINESS HAS BLANK, UNVERIFIED HEALTH POLICIES. MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN HEALTH POLICY VERIFIED BY ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
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 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
NOTED A NON-FUNCTIONAL EXTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR THE WALK-IN COOLER AND NO INTERNAL THERMOMETER IN THE COOLER. MUST REPAIR THE EXTERNAL THERMOMETER OR PROVIDE AN ACCURATE INTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR THE WALK-IN COOLER.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE REPAIRED/FUNCTIONAL OR REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
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
NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
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
NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
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 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2592224 ON 4-5-24 NOT CORRECTED. #39-3-305.11--- OBSERVED WASTE LINES IN BASEMENT STORAGE NOT PROPERLY SHIELDED TO PROTECT FROM LEAKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NOT STORE ANY FOOD, EQUIPMENT, OR SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS BELOW WASTE LINES. #53- 5-501.17-- OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH RECEPTACLES IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE RECEPTACLE WITH LID IN EACH TOILET ROOM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 7, 2025 · Original Source
License
Apr 5, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
5 recorded violations
notedCode 5Other
Official wording
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS CLEAN UP KIT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE/SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR IN THE ELECTRICAL ROOM OFF THE BACK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF DEBRIS. COS.
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH RECEPTACLES IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS. INTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE RECEPTACLE WITH LID IN EACH TOILET ROOM.
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 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS PRESENT IN REACH IN AND STANDING COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A THERMOMETER IN EACH COLD HOLDING UNIT.
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 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WASTE LINES IN BASEMENT STORAGE NOT PROPERLY SHIELDED TO PROTECT FROM LEAKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NOT STORE ANY FOOD, EQUIPMENT, OR SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS BELOW WASTE LINES.
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 contaminationOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 5, 2024 · Original Source