CHICAGO, IL - An inspection on 07/23/2025 at El Taconazo Jr. uncovered significant health code violations.
The popular restaurant is located at 4256 W Fullerton Avenue Chicago Illinois in Chicago's Logan Square district, serving local residents and visitors.
According to inspection records: "6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use - comments: observed half eaten bread on plate & to go container shelf in kitchen and employee snacks on hot holding chip table. Observed approximately 35 containers of packaged desserts: flan, c..." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
The inspection found infractions involving pest control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper pest control protocols. The FDA Pest Control Guidelines clearly states that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs.
The inspection identified violations related to sanitation, an important area of food safety.
Sanitation violations encompass a broad spectrum of cleanliness and maintenance issues that affect food safety Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that The FDA Food Code establishes comprehensive sanitation requirements that form the foundation of safe food service operations. The Food Safety Modernization Act provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
The inspection found infractions involving temperature control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Temperature control violations pose immediate risks to public health and food safety Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that Temperature abuse remains the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings. Per USDA Safe Temperature Standards, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
These types of violations require attention to maintain compliance standards for the establishment and its customers. Health officials note that addressing such conditions helps maintain public confidence in food service establishments.
Health department officials will conduct a comprehensive re-inspection to ensure that all violations have been properly addressed. The establishment must demonstrate full compliance before the matter can be considered resolved.
Regular health inspections serve as critical safeguards for public health in Chicago's dining landscape. Transparency in reporting inspection findings ensures that community members can make informed decisions about their dining options.
| Inspection ID | 2621136 |
| DBA Name | EL TACONAZO JR. |
| AKA Name | EL TACONAZO JR. |
| License # | 2354772 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 4256 W FULLERTON AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60639 |
| Inspection Date | 07/23/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Pass w/ Conditions |
| Violations | 6. PROPER EATING |
| OR TOBACCO USE - Comments | OBSERVED HALF EATEN BREAD ON PLATE & TO GO CONTAINER SHELF IN KITCHEN AND EMPLOYEE SNACKS ON HOT HOLDING CHIP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE AND CONSUME FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY. | 11. FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 CONTAINERS OF PACKAGED DESSERTS: FLAN |
| AND VANILLA PUDDING - FOR SALE IN THE FACILITY FROM AN UNKNOWN AND UNAPPROVED SOURCE IN FRONT DISPLAY COOLER. ALL OF THE CONTAINERS WERE UNLABLED | NO IDENTIFICATION OF ITEM AND ITS CONTENTS |
| AND WITH NO LABEL OF BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. PERSON IN CHARGE INFORMED INSPECTOR DESSERTS ARE HOME-PREPARED. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED ITEMS. INSTRUCTED ALWAYS TO PURCHASE ALL FOOD ITEMS FROM AN APPROVED SOURCE AND APPROVED FACILITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 | 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES | CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NOTED TOP INTERIOR SURFACE OF REAR PREP AREA ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE |
| CLEAN AND SANITIZE. | 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments | NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD IN PREP COOLER AND WALK-COOLER SHRIMP 47.8 F AND RICE 45.7 F. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 64 LBS VALUED AT $40 PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION | 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT |
| TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 19 LBS VALUED AT $80 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments | OBSERVED SELF-SERVE SWEETS IN DISPLAY CASE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. ITEMS IN THE CASE ARE NOT SEPARATED OR INDIVIDUALLY LABELED. ONE ITEM CONTAINS TREE NUTS AND IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH OTHER CANDY STORED IN THE SAME CASE - ITEMS WITH TREE NUTS SHOULD BE SEPARATED TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY |
| VALUED AT $20. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. | 41. WIPING CLOTHS | PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED GREEN AND WHITE WIPING CLOTHS ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN AND ON TOP OF REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITIZING BUCKETS WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION FOR HOLDING WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | NOTED CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA WITH DEEP CUTS AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE BY SANDING |
| OR REPLACING AND MAINTAINING. | 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments | OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY AND COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. |
| Latitude | 41.92450769084945 |
| Longitude | -87.73398032565292 |
| Location | (41.92450769084945 |
This inspection was conducted on July 23, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: pest-control, sanitation, temperature-control.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
