CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance problems at Tacos Don Misael during an inspection on 08/07/2025.
Situated at 5119 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago Illinois in Lincoln Square, the restaurant serves a diverse clientele in one of Chicago's bustling districts.
According to inspection records: "1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties - comments: the person in charge does not have a valid city of chicago food sanitation certificate posted on the premises. The person in charge does not have a valid city of ..." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
The inspection found infractions involving hand washing, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Restaurant industry standards emphasize hand washing as fundamental to food safety protocols According to FDA Hand Washing Standards, Federal guidelines require food service workers to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and warm water. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
The inspection found infractions involving pest control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Health experts emphasize that pest activity can rapidly contaminate food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients According to FDA Food Code Standards, The FDA Food Code mandates that food storage areas remain free from pest contamination at all times. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving sanitation, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Industry best practices require establishments to maintain rigorous cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance According to FDA Sanitation Standards, Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving temperature control, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Professional food safety experts consider temperature monitoring essential for preventing foodborne illness 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.
Local regulatory authorities have ordered that Tacos Don Misael swiftly remediate the documented deficiencies before reopening to customers. Additional review is planned to confirm remediation.
This inspection emphasizes the fundamental necessity of strict regulatory adherence in dining establishments. Area customers have the right to access compliance documentation when selecting food service establishments.
| Inspection ID | 2621874 |
| DBA Name | TACOS DON MISAEL |
| AKA Name | RAINBOW TACOS |
| License # | 3041203 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 5119 N LINCOLN AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60625 |
| Inspection Date | 08/07/2025 |
| Inspection Type | License |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT |
| AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments | THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. | 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED. | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: CONTAINER USED FOR HOLDING TORTILLA BOWLS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME. | 38. INSECTS |
| & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments | NOTED THE REAR EXIT SCREENED METAL DOOR WITH OPEN HOLES AND GAPS IN THE BOTTOM METAL AND ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. | 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | MUST NOT HANG CLEAN UTENSILS AND PANS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE MOP SINK. MUST STORE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION. | 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED. | 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments | NOTED OVERSIZED POTS ON PREMISES UNABLE TO BE SUBMERGED INSIDE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH |
| INSTALL A LARGER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK OR DEMONSTRATE AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN CLEANING AND SANITIZING PROCEDURE FOR THE POTS. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments | MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER SHELVING UNDER THE MICROWAVE OVEN. MUST BE SMOOTH |
| CLEANABLE SURFACE. | 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments | NO ADEQUATE HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT BOTH HAND WASHING SINKS AND AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE INITIAL INSPECTION WHEN FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED. HAND SINK TEMPERATURES NOTED AT 95.3F |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | MISSING VENTILATION COVER IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE. |
| Latitude | 41.97469920336708 |
| Longitude | -87.69207965247227 |
| Location | (41.97469920336708 |
This inspection was conducted on August 7, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: hand-washing, 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.
