Taqueria la Oaxaquena

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jun 26, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

2. Jun 24, 2025 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   1 critical4 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalRepeat violation

     A previously cited serious violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the following repeat priority foundation violations not corrected from report #2619176 dated 6/13/2025: #36 "observed no metal stem thermometer on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued." #48 "observed no chemical sanitizer testing devices on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued." instructed to correct and come into compliance. Priority violation 7-42-090. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 59)

     Previous priority foundation violation corrected

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed old single use yogurt and sour cream containers being used for food storage. Instructed to cease and use only food-grade, reusable containers for food storage.

     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 heavy build up of ice in white freezer located in rear storage and prep area. Instructed to defrost and maintain in good condition.

     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 build up of food debris and grime in interior of microwaves in rear prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease and carbond on filters above broiler and flat top grill. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified manager on site at time of inspection while tcs items such as chicken were prepared. Instructed to maintain an employee holding a valid city of chicago foodservice manager certificate on site at all times. Prioirty foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • 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 #2619176 dated 6/13/2025. 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

3. Jun 13, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   8 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed several coolers missing thermometers or containing broken thermometers. Instructed to provide working thermometers inside all coolers.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no metal stem thermometer on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed old single use yogurt and sour cream containers being used for food storage. Instructed to cease and use only food-grade, reusable containers for food storage.

     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 heavy build up of ice in white freezer located in rear storage and prep area. Instructed to defrost and maintain in good condition.

     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 no chemical sanitizer testing devices on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of food debris and grime in interior of microwaves in rear prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease and carbond on filters above broiler and flat top grill. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the following core violation not corrected from report #2600419 dated 8/20/2024: #57 " observed food handling employee without food handler certificate at the time of inspection. Instrcuted the person in charge to comply with idph food handler requirements." instructed to correct and come into compliance. 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: Observed no summary posted for public view from previous inspection #2600419 dated 8/20/2024. 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

4. Mar 14, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

5. Aug 20, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed interior guard of ice machine with some dirt, not clean. Instructed the person in charge to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed multiple boxed food items being stroeed on floor in the rear dry storage room. Instrcuted the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches from floor on raised shelving units and maintain.

     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 torn/damaged rubber gasket on the side of the door of the 2-door refrigerator. Instructed the person in charge to repair or replace gasket and maintain.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handling employee without food handler certificate at the time of inspection. Instrcuted the person in charge to comply with idph food handler requirements.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

6. Feb 24, 2023 Conditional

   License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) 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.

     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: 2-501.11 no clean up supplies provided on the premises to respond to a vomit or diarrheal event. Management instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 the certified food manager lacks an allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must show proof of training.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

7. Feb 17, 2023 Fail

   License · Fail

   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 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.

     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: No clean up supplies provided on the premises to respond to a vomit or diarrheal event. Management instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     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 exposed hand washing sink located in the rear food prep area. Management instructed to install an exposed hand washing sink in this area and supply it with soap and paper towels. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed the 2 door prep cooler with an air temperature of 60f. Management instructed to repair and maintain the prep cooler below 41f. Priority violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Must install a splashguard on the right side of the exposed hand washing sink located in the front food prep area.

     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 frozen food stored in a plastic grocery bag in the freezer. Management instructed to use only food grade storage bags or containers.

     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: No mop sink located on the premises. Management instructed to install.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: No covered waste receptacles were provided in both women's washrooms. Management instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: The ventilation fan in the women's washroom at 3382 n. Milwaukee is not operational. Management instructed to repair or replace the ventilation fan.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: The certified food manager lacks an allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must show proof of training.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required