Pass

Paco's Tacos

4311 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Restaurant ZIP 60632 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Feb 25, 2026

Paco's Tacos was last inspected on February 25, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 7 violations.

Latest inspection

February 25, 2026 · Complaint

Pass

Result: Pass

7 general
  • GeneralFood handling

    Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

    Inspector’s note: Observed soap dispenser for handwashing sink installed above left drainboard of two compartment sink. Instructed to relocate and reinstall soap dispenser so that it shall not contaminate food or equipment on left drainboard of two compartment sink.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFood handling

    Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed equipment stored on shelf underneath waste water pipe in utility closet with hot water tank. Instructed to encase waste water pipe or relocate shelf and equipment on shelf to prevent contamination from premises.

    Official wording (code 44)

    Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

    Inspector’s note: Observed aluminum foil used as liner on the back of flat top grill and in interior of two display cases containing chicharron in front prep areas. Instructed to remove aluminum foil liners from said pieces of equipment non food contact surfaces shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material. Observed soda crates used to elevate boxes of soda in basement walk in cooler. Instructed to provide adequate shelving units to elevate all food and nonfood items at least six inches off of floor for ease of cleanability.

    Official wording (code 47)

    Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

    Inspector’s note: Observed damaged gaskets on both doors of small two door holding unit across from cookline in front prep area. Instructed to repair damged gaskets on both doors of small two door cold holding unit across from cookline in front prep area and maintain.

    Official wording (code 47)

    Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

    Inspector’s note: Observed leaking faucet at two compartment sink in first floor rear prep area. Instructed to repair leaking faucet at two compartment sink in first floor rear prep area and maintain.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed unused large meat slicer stored in basement. Instructed to remove items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishemnt such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed dimly lit basement and first floor walk in coolers. Instructed to increase light intensity in basement and first floor walk in coolers. Observed no light bulbs in hood in first floor front prep area above cookline. Instructed to install light bulds in hood in first floor front prep area above cookline to increase light intensity in said area.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspection history

10 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates used as shelving in walk-in cooler. Must remove and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate cleaning.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed leak at faucet handles on 2-compartment sink in kitchen. Instructed to repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  2. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing signage in restroom. Instructed person in charge to provide handwashing signage and maintain.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed back up at three-compartment sink. Waste water backs up into alternate compartments when the middle compartment is drained. Observed seepage a top of grease trap as well when water is released, causing waste water to leak onto floor. Priority foundation #7-38-025. Citation issued. (food manager corrected on site during inspection).

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: Observed food storage containers in basement without labels containing the common name of foods. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as floor mats at three compartment sink. Instructed to remove.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed blood on floor of first floor walk in cooler. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  4. Conditional

    Suspected Food Poisoning · Pass w/ Conditions

    5 critical8 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no hand drying devices at rear prep / dish washing area hand sink while dishes are being washed and food handled at this time. Must provide paper towels at all hand sinks at all times. Towels were provided during inspection.(cos)(priority foundation 7-38-030(c)(citation issued)

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed a male dish washer not properly sanitizing multi-use utensils at 3- compartment sink at 0.0 p.p.m.. Observed over sized pots and plastic food storage containers being washed with a bucket of soapy water and towel being used in middle compartment basin to wash and running water for rinsing under faucet.instructed manager on how to set up sink to wash,rinse and sanitize multi-use utensils.still observed dish washer not properly sanitizing during inspection after being told.(cos)(priority foundation 7-38-005(c)(citation issued)

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed appx. 30lbs.cooked pork bellies with meat in large plastic bins on rear storage shelves and inside of front service counter hot holding unit.at 67.1f.product was discarded by manager. Must have hot holding foods at 135.0f or above.appx. 30 lbs. $.90(priority 7-38-005)(citation issued)(cos)

      Official wording (code 21)

      Proper hot holding temperatures

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of 2-180 lb.of raw cheek meat inside of large plastic garbage cans inside of walk in cooler ranging from 47.3f-54.1f .2.5lbs. Cooked beans 64.8f.product was discarded by manager.must have cold holding foods at 41.0f or below.appx.385 lbs.$.1,450.(priority 7-38-005)(consolidated violation )(cos)

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • CriticalFood handling

      Specialized processes (curing, vacuum-packing, etc.) didn’t follow the approved plan.

      Inspector’s note: Observed letter for lab analysis with only water activity for pork bellies missing ph range must provide and maintain.product was discarded by manager will not sell until food item until properly tested.(cos)

      Official wording (code 29)

      Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp

    • GeneralFood handling

      No approval obtained for a specialized processing method.

      Inspector’s note: See violation #29.

      Official wording (code 32)

      Variance obtained for specialized processing methods

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no thermometer for carnitas hot holding unit.must provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard at hand sink next to 2- compartment sink must provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFood handling

      Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

      Inspector’s note: Must invert multi-use utensils on storage carts.

      Official wording (code 44)

      Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken fanguard cover in basement walk in cooler and interior door panel in 1st fl. Walk in cooler.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Observed crates being used for food storage in walk in coolers and basement paper/dry food storage area.must provide adequate shelving units.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed oversized pots and kettle to large to fit into 3- compartment sink basin to properly wash,rinse and sanitize. Must remove large containers or provide a larger sink .

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow device on ice machine to be seen for servicing.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  5. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Attached stoppers at 3-compartment sink in disrepair, handles unable to close stoppers. Instd to repair and maintain, small leak at toilet tank. Instd to repair and maintain

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Lights withought shields at hot holding cases for carnitas and chicharron. Instd to provide shields or maintain proof on site for shatterproof lights

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: All allergen training certifications on site are expired. Instd to obtain training and maintain certification on site

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Wooden crates and black milk type crates being used to store clean cilantro. Instd to use proper food grade containers that are smooth, and easily cleanble

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

  7. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    4 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site. Instructed to keep signed copies of health policy for all employees on premises. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010, no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 3)

      Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

    • CriticalManagement & training

      No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no vomit and diarrheal clean up kit on premises. Instructed to keep kit with all necessary items and sanitizer effective against norovirus on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no handwash sign at handwash sink near cash register and near flat top grill. Instructed to put up signs and maintain.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper date marking. Instructed to mark all ready-to-eat, tcs food, prepared on site and held more than 24 hours with date of creation and disposal date. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Oberved large trash cans being used to store pork and beef. Instructed to keep all ingredients in food grade containers.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed several large cooking pots unable to be fully submerged in 3-compartment sink. Instructed to provide equipment that can be fully submerged in 3-compartment sink or have written procedure for alternative manual warewashing equipment.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed a build up of black, slimy substance on gasket of reach in freezer in basement. Instructed to clean, sanitize, and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device on utility sink in basement. Instructed to install and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no lightbulbs in hood over grill. Instructed to install and maintain working lightbulbs.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no food handler certificates on site. Instructed all employees must have valid food handler certificates on premises.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  8. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    5 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

      Inspector’s note: Dry storage containers not labeled. Instd to label.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Large 30 gallon garbage type containers being used to store food (pork, beef, etc). Instd to use properly designed food grade containers.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Cracked floor tiles in front prep area. Instd to replace and maintain tiles.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: No exposed handsink at front prep area where carnitas and chicarron handled and served. Instd to install exposed handsink with hot/cold running water under city pressure at same area. Large multi use pots in use to cook carnita unable to completely submerge in basin of 3-compartment sink to properly wash, rinse and sanitize. Instd to provide multi use equipment that is able to fully submerge in basin of 3-compartment sink to properly wash, rinse, and sanitize.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Multi use equipment and utility sink in basement directly under large exposed black sewage ppies. Any storage/equipement etc, under exposed sewage/waste pipes is prohibited.

  9. Pass

    License · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed the basement box freezer not clean, instructed to defrost, and clean.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Observed the walk-in cooler not clean under storage racks, instructed to clean.

More in ZIP 60632

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.