Taqueria Mi Barrio Es Tepito

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jun 9, 2025 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper cold holding temperatures of time/temperature control for safety (tcs) foods (tomatos at 56.2f, brisket at 54.0f and chorizo at 55.0f) at approximately 5lbs that cost approximately $50, located in prep cooler. Instructed to discard and denature. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no ambient air thermometers inside the reach in coolers and display coolers. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food stored in containers in all the coolers without proper labeling of name. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper storage of in-use utensils (knives) being stored on prep table. Instructed to store properly between usage.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored in plastic grocery bags in rear cooler. Instructed to use proper food grade storage bags/containers.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed city of chicago certified food service sanitation manager on duty without allergen training certificate. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

2. May 30, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

3. May 3, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed several tcs food items at improper temperature for cold-holding in the left and right cook line coolers: salsa at 50.7f, cooked rice at 47.1f, raw beef at 45.4f. Instructed to discard and denature tcs food items. Person-in-charge discarded all tcs foods at improper temperatures and denatured with bleach on-site. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

     Inspector’s note: Observed left cook line cooler at 52.0f and right cook line cooler at 50.2f, improper temperatures for cold-holding. Tagged coolers for inspection while on-site. Instructed to cease use of coolers to store tcs foods until repaired or replaced and re-inspected by cdph. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed right cook line cooler missing internal ambient air thermometer. Instructed to provide an ambient air thermometer in all cold- and hot-holding equipment in a conspicuous location and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed sugar, rice bulk dry food container not properly labeled with the common name of the food. Instructed to label all bulk dry food containers with the common name of the food and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed multi-use bowls used as scoop in several bulk food containers (salsa, rice). Instructed to remove bowls and replace with utensil with a handle to prevent contamination.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

4. Jul 27, 2023 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

5. Jul 20, 2023 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical8 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Raw and ready-to-eat foods weren’t kept apart.

     Inspector’s note: Observed raw pork stored immediately above ready to eat vegetables in walk in cooler. Instructed to store raw food separately and properly at all times. Citation issued 7-38-005, priority violation.

     Official wording (code 15)

     Food separated and protected

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no thermometer inside of true beverage coolers. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food storage containers not labeled in the basement dry storage area. Instructed to label food items with the common name.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed over 20 flies in basement bathroom and approx. Over 50 mice droppings scattered in dry storage area in the basement behind deep freezers along the wall base. Instructed to remove flies and mice droppings and clean sanitize affected areas. Instructed to contact pest control for service. The following areas with extreme clutter, unnecessary articles , and non- related equpiment causing pest harborage conditions: entire basement, entire outside rear leading to garbarage area and hallyway leading to toilet rooms. Instd to remove all clutter, etc, and organize all said areas to elimnate harborage conditions. Citation issued 7-38-020(a)

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed a bag of onions and food equipment and utensils stored on the floor in the basement back storage room. Instructed to elevate onions and food equipment at least six inches off the floor to protect from contamination.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed single service bags being used to store raw and cooked meats in the basement deep freezers. Instructed to use food grade bags to store food items.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed raw plywood at the hot food steam table at the cookline. Instructed to remove or replace with a proper cutting surface or a material that is smooth and easily cleanble.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed spilled food residue at the bottom of tall reach-in freezer in the basement. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed wet mops stored on the floor in the rear of kitchen. Instructed to hang mops to allow to dry when not in use.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: All certified food managers must obatain allergen awareness training. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

6. Nov 9, 2022 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   4 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in prep and basement storage area. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep table. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles stored on floor in basement. Instructed manager to elevate all single service articles six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed unused articles and equipment in outside, basement, storage and prep areas. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles to prevent pest harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

7. Oct 25, 2022 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   1 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no disclosure for consumer advisory on menu. Instructed manager to provide disclosure for consumer advisory on menu. Priority foundation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in prep and basement storage area. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep table. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles stored on floor in basement. Instructed manager to elevate all single service articles six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed unused articles and equipment in outside, basement, storage and prep areas. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles to prevent pest harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

8. Oct 14, 2022 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical8 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory and disclosure on menu. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed fly strips hanging in ceiling of prep area. Instructed manager to remove.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in basement storage area. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep table. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles stored on floor in basement. Instructed manager to elevate all single service articles six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed damaged door gasket on three door cooler. Instructed manager to repair.

     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 raw wood surfaces under front counter and rear window area. Instructed manager to seal all raw wood surfaces and maintain.

     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 unused articles and equipment in outside, basement, storage and prep areas. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles to prevent pest harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in basement, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

9. Aug 16, 2021 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   6 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: All large bulk food containers in need of proper identifying marker. Instructed to correct and maintain.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: All wiping cloths must be stored in a clean sanitizing solution when not in use. Instructed to correct and maintain.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: All single use utensils must be stored in a clean organized manner. Instructed to organize and maintain.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: All storage shelves in basement in need of detail clean and elevating. Instructed to clean and maintain clean.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Interior of reach in freezer and and reach in cooler in need of cleaning to remove all food spills. Instructed to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Floors in basement in need of cleaning to remove all debris and water spills. Instructed to clean and maintain clean.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: All employees who do not have sanitation certificates must have food handler certificates. Instructed to obtain and maintain.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

10. Aug 9, 2021 No Entry

    Complaint · No Entry

    No violations

11. Dec 6, 2019 Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 paperwork Show violations

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: All city of chicago certified food managers must take the allergen training course and provide proof the requirement was met.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

12. Nov 25, 2019 Fail

    License · Fail

    2 critical8 general1 paperwork Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Found no employee health policy on site. Instructed to implement a policy where all food/conditional employees acknowledges their responsibility in reporting any illnesses transmissible through food. 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: Found no procedure nor clean up kit for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to implement a procedure and provide a clean up kit (as described in the hand out) for handling these events. Priority foundation violation 7-338-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: No metal stemmed thermometers for aking internal temperatures of tcs foods. Instructed to provide metal stemmed thermometers and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralPests

      Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

      Inspector’s note: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE PREMISES SERVICED BY A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY THAT MUST PROVIDE A LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(c) NO CITATION ISSUED

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Found no chemical test kit for the sanitizer used at the 3-compartment sink. Instructed to provide a chemical test kit. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Found a leak at the pipe underneath the hand washing sink in the food preparation area. Instructed to fix and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

      Inspector’s note: Must provide a self-closing device to the toilet room doors. Maintain same.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

      Inspector’s note: No trash receptacle in the women's toilet room. Instructed to provide a trash receptacle with a lid/cover to the women's toilet room.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to make brick wall in toilet room and dining area smooth and easily cleanable.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found openings around the pipe under the hand washing sink in the food prep areas and in the brick walls in both toilet rooms. Instructed to seal all openings and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: All city of chicago certified food managers must take the allergen training course and provide proof the requirement was met.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required