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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taqueria Amigo Chino

5601 W Irving Park Rd

Last inspected Mar 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

4 inspections

Canvass

Mar 18, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. MUST HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. PERSON IN CHARGE ARRIVED ON SITE APPROXIMATELY 9:15 AM.

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

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(TORTAS, PORK). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. CFM ARRIVED ON SITE APPROXIMATELY 9:15 AM.

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 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE DRINKING OUT OF AN OPEN CUP THEN PLACED IT ON THE TABLE BY 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. EMPLOYEE MAY NOT DRINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA WITH AN OPEN CUP. A FOOD EMPLOYEE may drink from a closed BEVERAGE container if the container is handled to prevent contamination of:The EMPLOYEE'S hands;The container; and Exposed FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES.

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COOKED RICE AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 45.5F INSIDE OF PREP COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED MEXICAN CHEESE AT 44.1F AND 12 GALLONS OF MILK HELD AT 44.2F. TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. FOOD DISCARDED VOLUNTARILY. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 60 LBS AT A COST OF $150.00.

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

OBSERVED NO LABEL ON BULK FOOD CONTAINERS (SUGAR). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COMMON NAME ON CONTAINER TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ARE ALL EXPIRED. MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

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 EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

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, Mar 18, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 26, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 26, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 27, 2024

Pass

7 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE

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

NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. ALSO NOTED SLOW DRAIN AT THE HAND WASHING SINK BY THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. 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
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENINGS SEALED WITH SPONGES. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS AND WALK IN COOLERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

NOTED A LARGE POTS AND PANS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS).

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

NOTED EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS ON SHELVES AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA AND PREP AREA WITH FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO STORE THEIR BELONGINGS.

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, Mar 27, 2024 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Oct 30, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 30, 2023 · Original Source

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