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TAQUERIA LA ESMERALDA in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 04/11/23

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CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at TAQUERIA LA ESMERALDA during a routine inspection conducted on 04/11/2023.

The facility operates from 6310 N WESTERN AVE in North Park, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.

The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.

The first violation concerned hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.

The second violation related to hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Test Strips - Comments: Found Pots to Large to Properly Wash, Rinse,and Sanitize Inside 3 Compartment Sink.must Remove or Provide Written Procedure to Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize Large Pots.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.

The third violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.

The fourth violation involved hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Found No Backflow Prevention Devices at Mop Sink Faucet.must Provide Where They Can Be Serviced and Located.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.

The fifth violation concerned management certification. Inspectors documented: Previous Core Violation Corrected - Comments: Found Previous Core Violation Not Corrected From Report Dated 6-22-22 Inspection# 2559715.violation 58.observed Incomplete Allergen Awareness Training. Instructed to Ensure That Any Employee That Has a City of Chicago Foodservice Manager Certificate Completes Allergen Awareness Training and Receives Allergen Awareness Certificate. Priority Foundation.citation Issued.7-42-090.must Provide.. The FDA Food Code mandates that at least one employee with supervisory responsibility be a certified food protection manager to ensure active managerial control. For more information, see FDA certified food protection manager requirements. Improper food handling by untrained staff increases illness risk.

Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.

This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/11/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was this inspection conducted?

This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.

Who conducted this inspection?

Chicago Department of Public Health

What violations were found during this inspection?

The following violations were documented: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 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.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE COMPARTMENTS NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP AND BIN). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 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; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST NOT STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARD ON THE BACK-SPLASH OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: KNIVE SARE STORED BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND WALL,MUST PROVIDE KNIFE RACK; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 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; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 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.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: FOUND POTS TO LARGE TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE,AND SANITIZE INSIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE LARGE POTS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT MOP SINK FAUCET.MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 6-22-22 INSPECTION# 2559715.VIOLATION 58.OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE COMPLETES ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND RECEIVES ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-42-090.MUST PROVIDE..

Why are these violations concerning?

Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Improper food handling by untrained staff increases illness risk.

Important Health Information

Data Sources

This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.

Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.

📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022

⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.

Complete Inspection History

View all health inspections, pass rates, and violation history for TAQUERIA LA ESMERALDA

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