Penelope's Vegan Taqueria #2
5204 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Restaurant ZIP 60640 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Jul 25, 2025
Penelope's Vegan Taqueria #2 was last inspected on July 25, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations.
Latest inspection
July 25, 2025 · Canvass
Result: Pass
2 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board at the prep line with open seams and stains. Must refinish or replace damaged or stained cutting boards.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed wet mop stored in the bucket in the hallway leading to basement. Instructed to hang mops in utility area to allow to dry when not in use.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspection history
5 inspections on record
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
2 critical3 general2 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.
Inspector’s note: Person in charge does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation.
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior surfaces of ice machine with minimal mineral deposits in front prep area.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside all coolers.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly store boxes 6" off the floor to prevent contamination and for easy access on cleaning in the basement storage.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralRepeat violation
A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.
Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from inspection report# 2576610 issued on 06-01-2023 priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued #37 - observed bulk food containers on shelving unit with no labels in rear preparation area. Instructed the person in charge to provide labels with food names on all bulk food containers when food is not in its original packaging and maintain. #51 - observed no backflow prevention device for the utility sink located in the basement. Instructed the person in charge to provide a backflow prevention device located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 60)
Previous core violation corrected
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Found no certified food manager on site while tcs foods (mexican rice, refried beans, tacos, burritos etc) are being prepared and served. Instructed person in charge, a certified food manager with city of chicago foodservice sanitation certificate must be present at all times that time/temperature control for safety (tcs) food is being handled. (certified food manager arrived 45 minutes later) priority foundation violation 7-38-012 citation issued
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Certified food manager with expired allergen training certificate. Instructed management, any person with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate to comply with current allergen training certification.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Observed bulk food containers on shelving unit with no labels in rear preparation area. Instructed the person in charge to provide labels with food names on all bulk food containers when food is not in its original packaging and maintain.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 observed no backflow prevention device for the utility sink located in the basement. Instructed the person in charge to provide a backflow prevention device located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed exposed brick walls in the front preparation area. Instructed the person in charge to seal the exposed brick wall to ensure a smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable surface and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
License · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device for the utility sink located in the basement. Instructed the person in charge to provide a backflow prevention device located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed some dirt on the floor in the rear preparation area. Instructed the person in charge to detail clean floors and maintain them.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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More in ZIP 60640
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 15 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.