Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Tacos Montanas

Name: Tacos Montanas
Address: 3254 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL

3254 W Lawrence Ave

Last inspected Sep 2, 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

6 inspections

Canvass

Sep 2, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

SOME INTERIOR AREAS OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE TO SECURE DOOR GASKETS ON THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR.---- MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.

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

BASEBOARD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH BUMPY, UNEVEN SPRAY FOAM AND CARDBOARD AS SEALANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH CLEANABLE COVING ALONG THE BASEBOARD IN THE COOLER THROUGHOUT.

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, Sep 2, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 25, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 12, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO THE BAR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROX: 1/4" INCH GAP OPENINGS AT BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS TO THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF BAR COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLED DEBRIS AND STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER TO REMOVE MOLD-LIKE BUILD-UP 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, Aug 12, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 2, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 2, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 1, 2023

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.

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 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS REACH 107 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS WOULD REACH 100 F BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THERE IS CONSISTENT HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.