Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taco Pros

Name: Taco Pros
Address: 4126 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL

4126 W Montrose Ave

Last inspected Jan 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass

Jan 21, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS BEEF WERE PREPARED. CERTIFIED MANAGER ITZEL RODRIGUEZ ARRIVED ON SITE AT 3:15PM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VOMIT/DIARRHEA KIT ON SITE TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.

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 21, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 19, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

8 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE OUTSIDE OF ICE MACHINE TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.

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

OBSERVED BROKEN GASKET ON DRAWER COOLER UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON INTERIOR OF AIR CONDIITONING UNIT NEAR SODA FOUNTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOME GARBAGE AND DEBRIS ON GROUND IN OUTDOOR DUMPSTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 BUILD UP OF GREASE, GRIME, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDERNEATH SODA FOUNTAIN, INSIDE FRYER CABINET, INSIDE MICROWAVE OVEN, AND IN REAR CORNER NEAR 2 DOOR FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 1 BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 2 FOOD EMPLOYEES ON DUTY WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 19, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 30, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE REAR PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK FOR USE IN HANDWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES OF OPERATION. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) 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.

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MAINTENANCE TOOLS (BROOMS, MOPS, DUST PANS) STORED IN REAR STORAGE CORRIDOR IN A CLUTTERED MANNER THAT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR CLEANING THE AREA USED TO STORE THE TOOLS. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE OR REORGANIZE MAINTENANCE TOOLS TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE CLEANING OF THE AREA USED TO STORE THE TOOLS 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, Jan 30, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 25, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

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, Jul 25, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 16, 2024

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE. OBSERVED BOXES BEING STORED INSIDE THE HAND SINK AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c), CITATION ISSUED. EMPLOYEE REMOVED BOXES FROM HANDSINK DURING THE INSPECTION.

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.

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE PREPPING FOOD NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOODS AND MAINTAIN.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR THE CHEMICAL SANITIZER THAT WILL BE USED FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA OVERFLOWING , PREVENTING LIDS FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT TRASH IS PROPERLY CONTAINED,NOT OVERFLOWING AND THAT GARBAGE LIDS ARE TIGHT FITTING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(b). CITATION ISSUED.

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, Jul 16, 2024 · Original Source

License

Nov 30, 2023

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR JUICE/SMOOTHIE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

RESTROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING.MUST PROVIDE.

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

FOUND NO EXHAUST VENT INSIDE RESTROOM.MUST PROVIDE

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, Nov 30, 2023 · Original Source