Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taqueria El Palmar

Name: Taqueria El Palmar
Address: 1008 1/2 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL

1008 1/2 W Irving Park Rd

Last inspected Sep 26, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Sep 26, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUCKETS OF FOOD STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT 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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.

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 DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING ABOVE PREP COOLERS IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP INSIDE CEILING LIGHSHILEDS COVERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON CEILING ABOVE REAR FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST REPAINT 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, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 22, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

MUST NOT STORE HANGING CLEAN UTENSILS, POTS, PANS ABOVE THE DIRTY WASH BASIN OF THE DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

In plain English

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

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER NEAR THE FREEZER DOOR AND ON THE WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ICE BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN FREE OF SIGNIFICANT ICE BUILD UP.

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

UNUSED BROKEN EQUIPMENT ie: FLAT TOP GRILL AT FRONT PREP, MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.

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 EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGINGS STORED INSIDE THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED NON-FOOD CONTACT AREA FOR EMPLOYEES 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, Oct 22, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 18, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER HEAVILY SOILED WITH SPILLAGE AND FOOD DEBRIS IN CORNERS AND IN CENTER OF WALK IN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND DETAIL CLEAN ALL FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED POTS AND EMPTY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA NEAR THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL EQUIPMENT AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE RIGHT SIDE SHELF OF THE REACH IN COOLER IN THE FRONT SERVICE/PREPARATION AREA TO BE RUSTED AND NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SHELF TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE, AND SORROSIVE-RESISTANT MATERIAL.

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

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNISEX BATHROOM TO HAVE A TRASH CAN WITH NO LID. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TRASH CAN WITH LID/COVER IN UNISEX/WOMEN'S BATHROOMS.

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 18, 2024 · Original Source