Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Zacatacos

Name: Zacatacos
Address: 5925 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

5925 S Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Jul 1, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass w/ Conditions

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Zacatacos 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

3 inspections

Canvass

Jul 1, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSINK FAUCET IN WOMEN'S RESTROOM IN DISREPAIR (LOOSE), INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR 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 problems

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOOD (BEEF, CHICKEN) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 47.7F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL COLD HELD FOODS MUST BE AT 41F AND BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE. 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COLD HOLD PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 70F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT 41F AND BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD TO NOT USE UNTIL ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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, Jul 1, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 21, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

8 recorded violations

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN PUBLIC WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER, CFM, ON SITE AT START TIME OF INSPECTION AT 12:30PM WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY, TCS, FOODS (EGGS, CHICKEN, BEEF) WERE BEING STORED, PREPARED AND/OR SERVED. CFM ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 1:10PM. 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 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE'S PERSONAL FOOD ITEM (BOTTLED DRINK) STORED INSIDE COOLER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA(S) FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY, TCS, FOODS, APPROXIMATELY 2-3 DOZEN EGGS, AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $15, AT 69.3F LEFT IN FOOD CONTAINER NEAR THE GRILL/STOVE IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (SEASONINGS, SPICES, SOUR CREAM AND LIME JUICE) IN PREP AREAS STORED IN CONTAINERS WITH NO LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

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

OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF BEVERAGES (CASES OF CANNED AND BOTTLED SODA POPS) STORED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE CASHIER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF ICE SCOOPER AT THE FRONTLINE AND AT THE JUICE BAR AREA, BEING STORED DIRECTLY ON ICE INSIDE OF THE ICE BIN. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.

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 IMPROPER STORAGE OF FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS/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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 22, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN COOLER DRAWER UNIT BELOW GRILL: CHEESE AT 54.1F, COOKED CHICKEN AT 52.1F. LARGE DEEP CONTAINERS OF COOKED GREEN SALSA (DATED YESTERDAY 3/21) RANGING FROM 62.1F- 65.1F AND LARGE COOKED LENGUA AT 47.8F IN WALK IN COOLER. ALL SAID ITEMS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 100 LBS $500 VALUE. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

IMPROPER COOLING OF COOKED LENGUA AND SALSA. INSTD TO PROPERLY COOL: (1) ARRANGE IN EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE CONTAINER WALLS; AND (2) LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PERIOD TO FACILITATE HEAT TRANSFER FROM THE SURFACE OF THE FOOD