Canvass
Feb 23, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 23, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Taqueria El Dorado
3246 W Lawrence Ave
Last inspected Feb 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
4 inspectionsCanvass
Jun 25, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
5 recorded violations
notedCode 23Food source and labeling
Official wording
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEMS (FRIED PLANTAINS, REFRIED BEANS) IN THE KITCHEN AREA 1-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER MISSING ADEQUATE DATE LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO DENATUR AND DISCARD FOOD WITHOUT DATE LABELS AND PROVIDE DATE LABELS OR MARKINGS ON ALL TCS FOOD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE PREPARED FOOD DOES NOT EXCEED 7 DAYS BEFORE DISPOSITION AND MAINTAIN. APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $35.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED FOOD WITHOUT DATE LABELS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
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 problemsnotedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TO-GO CONTAINERS OF FLAN AND JELLO MADE ON-SITE BY FACILITY STAFF MISSING APPROPRIATE FOOD LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD LABELS FOR TO-GO ITEMS INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE FOOD, THE NAME OF THE FACILITY, AND THE ADDRESS OF THE FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
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 problemsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (JALAPENOS, ONIONS, CHILES) IN CONTAINERS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN FOOD AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
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 contaminationnotedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CONDENSATE WATER LINE OF 1-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER DISCHARGING INTO BUCKET ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RE-ROUTE OR REPLACE WATER LINE AND MAINTAIN CONDENSATE DRAINAGE THAT ROUTES DIRECTLY FROM POINT OF DISCHARGE TO DISPOSAL INTO PLUMBING 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON GROUND IMMEDIATELY OUTSIDE REAR FACILITY DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OUTDOOR AREAS OF FACILITY AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE OR OTHER SOILS 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 25, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint Re-Inspection
Mar 6, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 6, 2024 · Original Source
Complaint
Feb 28, 2024
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR.OBSERVED COOKED REFRIED BEANS AT 55.9F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS) FOODS AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX.20 LBS OF FOOD WORTH $100.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,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 temperaturenotedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE COOK WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
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 issuesnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MANTAIN.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OUTSIDE REAR OF THE PREMISES NOT MAINTAINED STORING UNNECESSARY ARTICLES UNUSED COOLERS,SOILED CARDBOARD BOXES PILED UP,MOP BUCKETS,EMPTY BUCKETS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TOOLS ETC.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY MENTIONED ITEMS FROM THE PREMISES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE 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 problemsnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HAND SINKS (PREP, WASHROOM).
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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS THE COOKING GRILL.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND KITCHEN STORAGE RACKS.
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 problemsnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
FOUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND BOXES.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.LID/COVER MUST BE KEPT CLOSED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 28, 2024 · Original Source