Taqueria la Morena

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Dec 16, 2025 No Entry

   Complaint · No Entry

   No violations

2. Oct 27, 2025 No Entry

   Complaint · No Entry

   1 critical5 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14: observed no handwashing signage at the handwashing sink in the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-202.15: observed the front entrance door and barriers at the order/pick up window, not rodent proof at the bottom. Instructed to rodent proof mentioned entry points.

     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: 3-307.11: observed the handwashing sink in the front food prep area in need of a splash guard due to the prep table on the right side of the sink. Instructed to install a smooth and easily cleanable splash guard

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c): observed the interior of the microwave in the prep area in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.19: observed the toilet room door not self-closing, located in the dining area. Instructed to install a self-closing device on the mentioned door and maintain it.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.13: observed the floors behind the prep cooler across from the cooking equipment with food debris. Instructed to clean mentioned floors to eliminate feed sites for pests.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

3. May 21, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 critical5 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14: observed no handwashing signage at the handwashing sink in the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-202.15: observed the front entrance door and barriers at the order/pick up window, not rodent proof at the bottom. Instructed to rodent proof mentioned entry points.

     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: 3-307.11: observed the handwashing sink in the front food prep area in need of a splash guard due to the prep table on the right side of the sink. Instructed to install a smooth and easily cleanable splash guard.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c): observed the interior of the microwave in the prep area in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.19: observed the toilet room door not self closing located in the dining area. Instructed to install a self closing device on the mentioned door and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.13: observed the floors behind the prep cooler across from the cooking equipment with food debris. Instructed to clean mentioned floors to eliminate feed sites for pest.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. May 14, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   3 critical6 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing signage at the handwashing sink in the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper hot holding temperature of cooked beef (93.6°f), on the food prep table in the prep area. Approximately 7 lbs of product were discarded at $37 worth of product. Instructed to hold hot tcs foods at 135°f or above. Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.

     Official wording (code 21)

     Proper hot holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper cold holding temperatures of raw beef (53.1°f) inside a refrigerator.approximately 10 lbs at $68 worth of product discarded. Must have cold holding foods at 41.0°f or below. Priority 7-38-005, citation consolidated with violation #21.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 60 or more mice droppings on site. Mice droppings were found on the following floors: in the rear dry storage closet, behind the garbage and beverage units in the dining area, in the dishwashing area, in the hot water tank closet, under the cold holidng units/ cooking equipment, near the host/hostess counter across from the prep area. The following surfaces had mice droppings: the lower shelves under the cooking equipment and on the canned goods. Instructed to remove mice droppings, clean and sanitize affected areas, and recommended contacting pest control for a service. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a), citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed the front entrance door and barriers at the order/pick up window, not rodent proof at the bottom. Instructed to rodent proof mentioned entry points.

     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 the handwashing sink in the front food prep area in need of a splash guard due to the prep table on the right side of the sink. Instructed to install a smooth and easily cleanable splash guard.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the microwave in the prep area in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed the toilet room door not self closing located in the dining area. Instructed to install a self closing device on the mentioned door and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the floors behind the prep cooler across from the cooking equipment with food debris. Instructed to clean mentioned floors to eliminate feed sites for pest.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

5. Dec 5, 2024 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

6. Jul 18, 2024 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

7. May 19, 2023 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tcs foods at improper temperature requirement stored in prep cooler (air temperature of 41.0f). Found internal temperature of the following food products. Cooked rice at 60.3f, pork at 49.0f instructed all tcs foods must maintain cold holding temperature of below 41.0f and hot holding temperature of above 135.0f. Operator voluntarily discarded and denatured foods during inspection. Priority violationi 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed prepared tcs food items cooked rice, cooked pork cooler without labels. Instructed to provide discard date labels (not to exceed 7 days) on all foods prepared on site and held for more than 24 hours and maintain. Manager corrected on site priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

8. Jul 21, 2022 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the floors in the front food prep area under the tables against the wall with a build up of dirt and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the hood ventilation system with a build up of grease. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed low lighting in the front storage closet (orange door) instructed to provide proper lighting.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

9. Jul 14, 2022 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

10. Aug 2, 2021 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed one signed employee health policy. All employees must read and sign employee health policy and keep verifiable copies on site at all times. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. No citation issued.

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed salt and garlic powder on shelf near prep cooler without label. All bulk food ingredients must be labeled with common name if not in original packaging.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device on utility sink. Instructed to provide backflow device on utility sink.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

11. Jul 7, 2021 No Entry

    Non-Inspection · No Entry

    No violations

12. Feb 28, 2020 Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 critical6 general2 paperwork Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on site. Instructed facility to establish an appropriate employee health policy and maintain with verifiable signed copies on site for all food employees. 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 written procedures or supplies for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Supplies must include adequate sanitizer that eliminates norovirus. Instructed facility to provide clean up policy and supplies to properly handle bodily fluid spills 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 hand washing sign at the hand sink in the kitchen. Instructed to provide a hand washing sign at all hand sinks on premise.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no barrier between the 3 compartment sink and dining area.instructed to provide a miniuim of 60 inches high barrier. Observed three door cooler and coffee station at the front entrance. Instructed remove.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no sink stoppers at the 3-compartment. Instructed manager must provide working stoppers at 3-compartment sink.

      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 facility without a service/utility sink. Instructed to provide for proper disposal of dirty mop water.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle for sanitary napkins in unisex and women's washrooms. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed excess clutter and unnecessary articles stored in the back storage room near the cash resgister. Must remove all unnecessary articles, clean all clutter, organize, and maintain areas at all times.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed ventilation hood not long enough to cover the cooking equipment in the kitchen. Instructed to provide proper length of ventilation hood.

      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 proof of training for all food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain records at all times.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the certified city of chicago food manager without an allergen training certificate. Management instructed to have all certified food managers obtain this certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required