Pass

Taqueria Los Molcajetes

5344 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Restaurant ZIP 60639 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Sep 17, 2026

Taqueria Los Molcajetes was last inspected on September 17, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 6 violations.

Latest inspection

September 17, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

6 general
  • 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, walk in cooler and dry storage without proper labeling of name. Instructed to person in charge to provide a label reflecting the food item's name when food has been remove from its original packaging.

    Official wording (code 37)

    Food properly labeled; original container

  • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

    Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers prepping food without hair restraints. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint.

    Official wording (code 40)

    Personal cleanliness

  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed plates, pots, and pans throughout premises not inverted. Instructed to invert plates, bowls, pots, and pans after sanitizing and air drying.

    Official wording (code 44)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the reach in coolers and freezers in need of cleaning. Instructed to detail clean.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed mop in a position that does not allow to dry properly and prevent pest harborage. Must store mop after use in a mounted position that allows for air-drying without soiling and pest harboraging.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed grease buildup, food debris, and dirt on floor under cooking equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, storage and basement areas. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas. Observed dust buildup on fan in walk-in cooler, light shields in cooking area and ceiling and wall vents in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain all fans, light shields and ceiling/wall vents.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

12 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.13: observed the floors in the rear food prep/ dishwashing area in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed outside garbage receptacle lid not tight fitting, due to being filled with trash. Instructed all outside garbage receptacles must be able to close and remain tigh ftting, per code, in order to prevent rodent harborage. Priority foundation 7-38-020(b), citation issued

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the floors in the rear food prep/ dishwashing area in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    7 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

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

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed a torn door gasket inside of the 2 door prep cooler. Management instructed to replace the torn door gasket

      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 cardboard used as liner on floor in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

      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 accumulated grease and food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed debris around dumpster. Instructed to clean and maintain

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

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

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed unused equipment and unnecessary articles in hot water storage area. Instructed manager to remove all unused, unnecssary equipment and articles to prevent pest harborage.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed to complete training and keep certificate on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  4. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 critical Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: 4-602.11(b-e)-observed pink specks interior of ice machine. Must detail clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

  5. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed pink specks interior of ice machine. Must detail clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from 3/31/2022, report #2553738. #51- found no mop sink on site. Instructed management that at least one service sink (mop sink) or curbed cleaning facility equipped with a floor drain shall be provided for the cleaning of mops and disposal of mop water/similar liquid waste. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • PaperworkFood handling

      The inspection summary report wasn’t posted for the public.

      Inspector’s note: Summary report from 3/31/2022, report #2553738 not posted in public view of establishment's customers. Instructed to post recent summary report visible to the public at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-010(b). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 61)

      Summary report displayed and visible to the public

  6. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Found no mop sink on site. Instructed management that at least one service sink (mop sink) or curbed cleaning facility equipped with a floor drain shall be provided for the cleaning of mops and disposal of mop water/similar liquid waste.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  7. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

      Inspector’s note: Observed an incorrect and incomplete consumer advisory for raw/undercooked foods - fully cooked menu items, such as chicken, are incorrectly asterisked, and the advisory is missing a disclosure statement. Instructed management to add a disclosure statement to the current advisory that says "items can be served raw or undercooked or contain undercooked ingredients" and remove the asterisks from fully cooked menu items such as chicken and soups. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 25)

      Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on the splash guard of the rear prep hand washing sink. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Found no mop sink on site. Instructed management that at least one service sink (mop sink) or curbed cleaning facility equipped with a floor drain shall be provided for the cleaning of mops and disposal of mop water/similar liquid waste.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Found a leak coming from the drain pipe underneath the rear prep handwashing sink. Must repair.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found a hole in the wall base underneath the three compartment sink, and a hole in the wall above the grill in the kitchen. Instructed management to repair holes and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  8. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on top of front hand washing sink. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

  9. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    2 critical6 general 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 the premises. Management instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010,no citation issued

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • CriticalFood temperature

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed prepared ready to eat tcs foods not in the original containers such as flavored cream cheeses,riceand soups not properly date labeled with an expiration date no longer than 7 days. Must properly date label all such foods. Priority foundation violation.7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on top of front hand washing sink. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFood handling

      In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoops stored on top of ice machine. Must properly store ice scoops in a clean container to prevent contamination.

      Official wording (code 43)

      In-use utensils: properly stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Additional water preasure needed at the hand washing sink in rear food preparation area. Must repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Outside garbage area not maintained. Observed outside garbage dumpster overflowing preventing lis from closing properly. Also observed accumulation of garbage and trash on ground surrounding dumpster.this is harborage and a food source for rodents and others pests. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(b) citation issued

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dirt and grease build up on floor under around and behing cooking eaquipment. Must clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from report#2456883 on 11/20/2020. #51 backflow prevention device not located at ice maker. Must install so backflow prevention device may be located to be serviced and maintained. #56 instructed to detail clean kitchen exhaust hood filters to remove accumulations of grease-build-up and to maintain. #57 observed no food handler certificates provided on the site. Must show proof of training for all food handling employees. #58 allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation cert priority foundation violation 7-42-090 no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

  10. Conditional

    License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical3 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 the premises. Management instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010,no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at all handsinks (prep areas and wash rooms).

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed a torn door gasket inside of the 2 door prep cooler. Management instructed to replace the torn door gasket.

      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: Backflow prevention device not located at ice maker. Must install so backflow prevention device may be located to be serviced and maintained.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean kitchen exhaust hood filters to remove accumulations of grease-build-up and to maintain.

      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 provided on the site. Must show proof of training for all food handling employees.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed to complete training and keep certificate on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  11. Fail

    License · Fail

    4 critical7 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 the premises. Management instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. 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 procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide and maintain required procedure/plan and appropriate supplies or kit. (necessary items at a minimum: gloves, face masks, disposable mops and appropriate sanitizer/spray that is effective against norovirus). 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: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at all handsinks (prep areas and wash rooms).

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood handling

      No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory disclosure and reminder statement on the menu. Management instructed to disclose which foods can be ordered "raw" or under cooked and link those foods with an asterisk (*) to a reminder statement that states that eating raw or under cooked foods can increase your risk of food borne illness. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005,no citation issued.

      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 no licensed pest control log book available on site. Instructed to provide a pest control log book with all required documents ( contract/service agreement, service report with copy of idph license number,record of locations, chemicals used etc.) priority foundation violation 7-38-020 (c),no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed a torn door gasket inside of the 2 door prep cooler. Management instructed to replace the torn door gasket.

      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 stained cutting board on top of rear prep cooler.instructed to resurface or replace the cutting board and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to remove accumulations of rusts on exterior of grease trap box underneath the 3-compartment sink area.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Backflow prevention device not located at ice maker. Must install so backflow prevention device may be located to be serviced and maintained.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean kitchen exhaust hood filters to remove accumulations of grease-build-up and to maintain.

      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 provided on the site. Must show proof of training for all food handling employees.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed to complete training and keep certificate on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60639

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.