Taqueria El Costeno
2007-2009 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Restaurant ZIP 60608 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Apr 11, 2025
Taqueria El Costeno was last inspected on April 11, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations.
Latest inspection
April 11, 2025 · Canvass
Result: Pass
2 general-
GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed the male food handler with a beard and without a beard guard. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.
Inspector’s note: 4-301.12 observed only one sink stopper for the 3 compartment sink. Instructed to provide at least two sink stoppers at all times.
Official wording (code 48)
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspection history
4 inspections on record
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
-
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 with a 1/4 inch gap at the bottom. Instructed to make said door tight fitting and rodent proofed.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
-
GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: 3-304.12 observed a scoop stored inside of the ice bin in between uses. Instructed to store scoop properly in between use.
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
-
GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: 4-502.13 observed aluminum foil being used as a shelf liner. Instructed to remove, all surfaces must be easily cleanable.
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to provide or locate.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
-
Pass
License Re-Inspection · Pass
1 general Show violations
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 observed no backflow prevention device for the utility sink. A backflow prevention device must be located so it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
-
Fail
License · Fail
1 critical2 general 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 managers to provide a verifiable acknowledgement of their responsibility to report information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food to the pic. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-010.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device for the ice machine or utility sink. A backflow prevention device must be located so it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed waste water back up into wash basin and rinse basin when sanitizer basin is drained. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
-
More in ZIP 60608
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 19 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.