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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taqueria Jamay

2500 W 51st St

Last inspected Jan 21, 2026 · 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

4 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 21, 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

2-101.11: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

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

2-101.11: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19: OBSERVED RUST SHELVES IN COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH GLASS DOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVES IN COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH GLASS DOOR IN BASEMENT, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED PEELING INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA EXPOSING INSULATION. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER IN BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED BOXES OF OIL STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVES TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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

6-501.11: OBSERVED CRACKS AND HOLES IN FLOOR OF BASEMENT IN FRONT OF UTILITY SINK AND NEAR LARGE PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT OF BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR CRACKS AND HOLES IN FLOOR IN FRONT OF UTILITY SINK AND NEAR LARGE PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT OF BASMENT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING ON BASEMENT CEILING ABOVE LARGE PREP TABLE IN FRONT OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT FROM CEILLING AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT BASEMENT CEILING IN SAID AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALL AND NONSMOOTH WALL BEHIND UTILITY SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR WALL BEHIND UTILITY SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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

6-501.14: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD 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
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

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

2-102.13: NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, Jan 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 14, 2026

Fail

10 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BLACK BROWNISH MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON LEFT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DESTROY ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.

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 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HOT TCS FOOD(BEEF) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE RANGING BETWEEN 96.0-124.0F . INSTRUCTED ALL HOT TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $60 WEIGHING 8LBS. CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION BELOW 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 temperature
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 46.6-58.0F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, SLICED TOMATOES(47.5F), SOUR CREAM(50.9F), SHREDDED CHEESE(48.2F), SHREDDED LETTUCE(46.6F) AND RAW EGGS IN SHELL(58.0F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $75 WEIGHING 10LBS. CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION ABOVE 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 temperature
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUST SHELVES IN COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH GLASS DOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVES IN COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH GLASS DOOR IN BASEMENT, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED PEELING INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA EXPOSING INSULATION. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER IN BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL. OBSERVED BOXES OF OIL STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVES TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DRAIN STOPPERS NOT FITTING INTO DRAIN OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN STOPPERS OF PROPER SIZE TO FIT INTO THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS, A THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SHALL BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED FOR MANUALLY WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE DUMPSTER USED FOR TRASH OVERFLOWING WITH BAGS AND CARDBOARD UNABLE TO BE CLOSED TO PREVENT PEST FROM ENTERING DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TRASH AND RECYCLING SHALL BE STORED SO THAT IT IS INACCESSIBLE TO INSECTS AND RODENTS. 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 issues
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CRACKS AND HOLES IN FLOOR OF BASEMENT IN FRONT OF UTILITY SINK AND NEAR LARGE PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT OF BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR CRACKS AND HOLES IN FLOOR IN FRONT OF UTILITY SINK AND NEAR LARGE PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT OF BASMENT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING ON BASEMENT CEILING ABOVE LARGE PREP TABLE IN FRONT OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT FROM CEILLING AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT BASEMENT CEILING IN SAID AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALL AND NONSMOOTH WALL BEHIND UTILITY SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR WALL BEHIND UTILITY SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD 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
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

AT TIME OF INSPECTION NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED FOR ANY FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

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

NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

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, Jan 14, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 11, 2025

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT BASEMENT HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HANDWASHING SIGN AT ALL TIMES.

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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE(ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD ALL ICE IN BIN, CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP PF GREASE ON BOTTOMS OF WHITE SHELVES IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 5, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE(ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DISCARD ALL ICE IN BIN, CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. (PIC EMPTIED AND CLEAN MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.) PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SPLATTERS OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COLD HOLD UNITS (FREEZERS, COOLERS, ICE MACHINE) IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL UNITS.

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 BLACK RUBBER BASEBOARDS PEELING FROM THE WALL IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO THE RESTROOM AND NEAR BASEMENT STAIRS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR 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, Apr 5, 2024 · Original Source

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