Canvass
Jul 6, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 6, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Taqueria La Esmeralda
6310 N Western Ave
Last inspected Jul 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Taqueria La Esmeralda has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
4 inspectionsCanvass
Jan 24, 2025
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
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 FOOD DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS ON PREP AREA FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT/ALONG WALLS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP AREA 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, Jan 24, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Mar 22, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM
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, Mar 22, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Mar 11, 2024
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
WE OBSERVED 6 BABY ROACHES COMING OUT FROM HANDLES OF HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA,WHEN HANDLES IS TURNED ON.ONE LIVE ADULT ROACH INSIDE THE FRAME OF HANDWASHING SIGN ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK(SAME SINK).TWO LIVE ADULT ROACHES IN BASEMENT BEHIND THE REACH-IN AND CHEST FREEZER. MUST REMOVE. CLEAN AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION :7-38-O20(A),CITATION ISSUED
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM
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 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE COMPARTMENTS NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP AND BIN). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.
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 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
MUST NOT STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARD ON THE BACK-SPLASH OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 issuesnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
KNIVE SARE STORED BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND WALL,MUST PROVIDE KNIFE RACK
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 issuesnotedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHROOM NOT MAINTAINED: FAUCET NOT REACHING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, ONLY MIDDLE COMPARTMENT NOT ABLE TO USE COMPARTMENT FOR WASH AND SANITIZE.FAUCET MUST REACH ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR :WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-025,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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT OR CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVE AND DEEP FRYER WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 11, 2024 · Original Source