Conditional

El Tragon Taqueria

1234 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642

Restaurant ZIP 60642 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Jun 2, 2026

El Tragon Taqueria was last inspected on June 2, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 9 violations.

Latest inspection

June 2, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

8 general1 paperwork
  • GeneralFood handling

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

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

    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 food items stored in containers in the walk-in cooler and prep coolers left uncovered. Instructed to provide food grade lids/covers to prevent contamination.

    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 cutting boards in the kitchen/prep area with open seams and dark stains. Instructed to refinish/replace.

    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 ice machine drain line improperly draining into the handwashing sink in food prep area. Instructed to properly route drain line into city plumbing.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed outside dumpsters with lids not tightly fitted closed due to trash overflowing. Instructed to correct to ensure tightly fitting lids. 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 a huge hole in the wall in the rear food prep and dishwashing area. Instructed to cover and seal.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the ventilation hood and filters above the cooking equipment in need of cleaning. Instructed to clean.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed burned out light bulb above the cooking equipment in the kitchen/prep area. Instructed to replace bulb.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Required allergen training was missing.

    Inspector’s note: Observed certified food service sanitation manager without an allergen training certificate. Instructed to provide for all city of chicago food service sanitation managers and provide documentation.

    Official wording (code 58)

    Allergen training as required

Inspection history

10 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Staff touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

      Inspector’s note: Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. Observed food handlers grabbing lettuce, tomatoes, bread, cheese with bare hands when assembling Tacos and other food items. Instructed manager not to handle such foods with bare hands. Priority violation 7-38-010.

      Official wording (code 9)

      No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: No paper towels, no hand drying provisions provided to prep area/ dish room hand wash sinks, Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Food handler not wearing hair restraints, Instructed to wear.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Deli cups not air dried after washing, Instructed to air dry all multi-use utensils after washing.

      Official wording (code 44)

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

  2. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Clean the bottom shelves of the prep tables and interior of the chest freezer.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Clean the grease on the walls of the food prep area.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Remove the hanging fly traps in the rear food prep/dish washing area.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Clean and defrost the interior of the chest freezer.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  4. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

      Inspector’s note: Observed build-up of brown and pink slime in the interior of the ice machine used to produce ice for humans. Instructed to remove ice, detail clean, sanitize, and maintain good condition. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 16)

      Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed torn gaskets on 3-door prep cooler located opposite cook line. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

      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 hose from ice machine drains into exposed handwashing sink located in front prep area. Instructed to correct.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • PaperworkFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no summary posted for public view from previous inspection #2552733 dated 3/10/2022. Left new summary and instructed to post for public view. Priority foundation violation 7-42-010(b). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 61)

      Summary report displayed and visible to the public

  5. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  6. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food containers inside walk in cooler not labeled with common names of food items. Must label all food items that are not inside original packagining.

      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 food items (cups, containers) stored inside washroom. Instructed to remove and store in different place to prevent contamination.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed ph test strips on site for 3 compartment sink. Instructed to provide quaternary ammonium strips for quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

  7. Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the certified food manager without the allergen training certificate. Must provide show proof of training.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  8. Fail

    License · Fail

    4 critical4 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 provide an employee health policy that includes a signed acknowledgement from each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

      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 clean up procedure on the premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide a clean up procedure on the premises. Priority foundation 7-38-005

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • 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 undercooked and link those foods to a reminder statement that states that eating raw or undercooked foods can increase your risk of foodborne illness. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

      Official wording (code 25)

      Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

    • CriticalFacility upkeep

      Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

      Inspector’s note: Found waste water backing up at the 3 compartment when the water is released from middle compartment, water backs up into first and third compartment of the 3 compartment sink and water slowly draining. Instructed to repair plumbing issue and to maintain.priority violation 7-38-030

      Official wording (code 52)

      Sewage & waste water properly disposed

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Missing food temperature measuring device(metal stem thermometer).instructed to provide stem thermometer to monitor food temperatures.priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed extremily slow draining at the hand washing sinks located in food preparation areas. Must repair and maintain. Must repair slow leak at the hand washing sink located in front preparation area.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no back flow preventor device for the ice machine. A backflow preventor device must be located so that can be service 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: Observed no covered waste receptacle provided in the unisex washrooms. Must provide and maintain.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the certified food manager without the allergen training certificate. Must provide show proof of training.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  9. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.