El Paisano Tacos

December 3, 2025 · Fail

🪳cooked

official resultFail
resultFail
inspection typeComplaint
failed findings21
critical findings2

Failed findings

handwashing sink blocked or barecritical

Official wording: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible
Inspector note: OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED A LARGE PLASTIC BUCKET STORED INSIDE OF SAID HAND SINK.MANAGER REMOVED BUCKET DURING INSPECTION.MUST KEEP HAND WASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED) • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND SINKS IN BOTH PREP AREAS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
code 10Priority
hand hygiene slippingcritical

Official wording: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, Or Tobacco Use
Inspector note: OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM AN OPEN CUP INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID OR USAGE OF A STRAW.(COS)
code 6Priority
cold food not cold enough

Official wording: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures
Inspector note: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS COOKED FOODS DATED 12/2/25 INSIDE OF 1- DOOR REAR REACH IN COOLER SUCH AS 15LBS.-COOKED BEANS RANGING FROM 46.7F-46.9F. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX.15LBS.$35.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 22
consumer advisory missing

Official wording: Consumer Advisory Provided For Raw/Undercooked Food
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE & REMINDER ON BOARD MENU NOR A REMINDER ON CARRY-OUT MENUS ON CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
code 25
food prep surfaces dirty

Official wording: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment For Temperature Control
Inspector note: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 1- DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT 50.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNIT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.ONCE REPAIRED EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG(PRIORITY 7-38-005)COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 33
thermometers missing

Official wording: Thermometers Provided & Accurate
Inspector note: OBSERVED 3- PROBE THERMOMETERS NOT VERIFYING THE SCALING OF THE TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES IN THE RANGE OF USE TO MEASURE FOOD TEMPERATURES WHILE TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 36
food improperly labeled

Official wording: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
Inspector note: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGES SUCH AS (SHAKERS,BULK CONTAINERS,SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC) • MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFORMATION GIVEN AND MAINTAIN.
code 37
pests in the house

Official wording: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
Inspector note: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS INSIDE OF A BLACK PLASTIC BIN OF POTATOES AND ON FLOOR OF SAME IN DINING AREA,ON LOWER SHELF AT SERVICE COUNTER,UNDER UNUSED GRILL TABLE AND LOWER SHELF IN REAR PREP AREA,ON INTERIOR LEDGES OF 1 & 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLERS,ON FLOOR UNDER SHELVING UNITS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.ALSO EVIDENCE OF 3- LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA AND BEHIND 3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND SEVERAL DEAD ROACHES IN TOILET ROOM IN VANITY,IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND ON FLOOR UNDER COOLERS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS AND DEAD ROACHES CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 12/3/25.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED) • OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF DOUBLE DOORS BEHIND A WALL OF COOLERS IN DINING AREA AND ALONG SIDE OF FRONT DOOR MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT INSECT ENTRY.
code 38
Personal Cleanliness

Inspector note: OBSERVED PERSONAL BELONGINGS ON REAR FOOD & PAPER STORAGE SHELVES MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.
code 40
grimy wiping cloths

Official wording: Wiping Cloths: Properly Used & Stored
Inspector note: OBSERVED SEVERAL HEAVILY SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON SURFACES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS AND COUNTERS MUST REPLACE SOILED TOWELS AND STORE THEM IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
code 41
In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored

Inspector note: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP ,BOWLS AND SCOOPS STORED ON TOP RACK IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE OF BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE IN A PROPER MANNER.
code 43
Utensils, Equipment & Linens: Properly Stored, Dried, & Handled

Inspector note: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
code 44
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles: Properly Stored & Used

Inspector note: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
code 45
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS ON 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND 1- DOOR GLASS REACH IN COOLER. • OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN FREEZERS AND AT FRONT PREP AREA MUST USE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE. • OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED INSIDE OF 1- DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND ON UNUSED GRILL TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN A CLEAN SURFACE. • OBSERVED SOILED,WORN AND PITTED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOPSIDE OF FRONT PREP COOLER AND ON REAR PREP TABLES MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.
code 47
Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips

Inspector note: OBSERVED POTS AND STORAGE BINS TO LARGE TO SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST REMOVE POTS & BINS,PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON HOW TO PROPERLY SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS.
code 48
plumbing acting up

Official wording: Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Inspector note: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINETS, GRILL TABLES, PREP TABLES, REACH IN & PREP COOLERS,WHEEL BASES,UNDERSIDES OF OVERHEAD SHELVING UNIT ABOVE FRONT PREP COOLER,SERVICE COUNTER SHELVING UNITS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.
code 49
bathroom / plumbing issues

Official wording: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING ON ICE MACHINE AND PROVIDE BACKFLOW DEVICES ON THREADED FAUCETS AT MOPSINK.
code 51
Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned

Inspector note: MUST ADJUST SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR TO CLOSE TIGHTLY.
code 53
floors, walls, or ceilings grimy

Official wording: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Inspector note: MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER FROM PREP TABLES AND STORE PROPERLY. • MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND AND ALONG WALL BASES. • MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE,FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP AND DIRT FROM ALL WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
code 55
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
code 57
Previous Core Violation Corrected

Inspector note: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2611571 2/3/25 NOT CORRECTED-#58-2-102.13 : OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 60

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass w/ Conditions on February 3, 2025: 19 findings appeared for the first time. 2 findings recurred. 2 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.