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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taco Palate

1608 W North Ave

Last inspected May 5, 2025 · 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

2 inspections

Canvass

May 5, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

14 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)

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
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (STEAK,PORK,RICE,SALSA)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(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 issues
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 issues
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SLOW DRAIN AT HAND SINK IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

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 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 2 LBS. COOKED STEAK AT 74.1°F ON TOPSIDE OF UNUSED GRILL. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR BELOW.APPX. 2LBS.$10.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT AND COOKED FOODS, SUCH AS 5 LBS. RED & GREEN SALSAS 47.8F-52.2F.2.5LBS. SOUR CREAM-59.0F.1LB. DICED TOMATO-45.5F.1LB. SHREED LETTUCE-53.6F.2LBS. COOKED PORK-51.4F.1.5LBS. COOKED CHIROZO-47.8F.1LB. COOKED CHICKEN-45.5F.5LBS. COOKED RICE-59.7F.15LBS. RAW BEEF STEAK-52.9F INSIDE OF FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER & REAR REFRIGERATOR. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX.34LBS. $300.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )(COS)

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 IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 2-DOOR FRONT PREP COOLER AT 45.9F AND REAR REFRIGERATOR AT 60.9F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR SWEEP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

MUST ELEVATE LARGE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS OFF OF FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST REMOVE RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

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

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM EXTERIOR & INTERIOR OF UNUSED GRILL,FRYER CABINET,UNUSED WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.

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

MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM TO HANG UP WET MOPS.

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

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.

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, May 5, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 26, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 8Handwashing

Official wording

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE WASH HANDS WITH AT HAND WASHING SINK WITHOUT USING SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES WASH HANDS WITH SOAP. MANAGER INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO USE SOAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

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 9Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOUCH READY-TO-EAT TACOS WITH BARE HANDS TO ADJUST TACOS INSIDE TO-GO CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES DO NOT TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. THE MANAGER INSTRUCTED THE EMPLOYEE TO REMAKE TACOS WITH GLOVES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

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
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.

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, Jan 26, 2024 · Original Source

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