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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taqueria El Costeno 2

8121 S Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Jun 5, 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

Jun 5, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVERD SUCH AS STEAK, CHICKEN AND BEANS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE FOLLOWING AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS,DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE: ALONG THE WALL BEHING COOKING EQUIPMENT, INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER UNDER SHELVING, AROUND THE POP COOLER.

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 MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OVER THE PREP TABLE AND 3 COMP SINK.

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 THE COOK WITHOUT HIS FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

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 THE PIC WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ONSITE 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, Jun 5, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Aug 27, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2025 · Original Source

License

Aug 18, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SINK NEEDED IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH HAND WASHING SOAP, PAPER TOWELS AND HAND WASHING SIGNAGE. NO 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE SINK STOPPER IN THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT PROPERLY HOLDING THE WATER (ALLOWS DRAINING WHILE INSTALLED) INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WITH BETTER FITTING STOPPERS.

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

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN FOR ICE MACHINE.

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

OBSERVED NO TOILET PAPER IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. NO 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE TOILET ROOM NOT PROPERLY PULLING RETURN AIR. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

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, Aug 18, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Jul 17, 2025

Not Ready

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 17, 2025 · Original Source

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