Supermercado El Taxquenito

• resultFail
• critical violations4
• last inspectedJuly 25, 2024
• address6309 W Grand Ave, Chicago 60639
• cuisineGrocery Store

Is Supermercado El Taxquenito clean?

Supermercado El Taxquenito is currently Fail from Chicago Department of Public Health, from an inspection on July 25, 2024. Inspectors wrote up 4 critical violations — the kind most directly linked to foodborne illness. On Cooked's ladder that reads cooked 🪳.

What did inspectors find at Supermercado El Taxquenito?

These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on July 25, 2024, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.

• 📋certified manager paperwork missingcritical
  City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED (SUCH AS BEEF). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED/SERVED. INSTRUCTED MUST POST A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATION IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🤒sick-employee policy not followedcritical
  Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🚿water/temperature at the sink offcritical
  No Bare Hand Contact With Rte Food Or A Pre-Approved Alternative Procedure Properly Allowed • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOOD TACOS WITH BARE HANDS AND ADD TO CUT TOMATOES IN KITCHEN AT FOOD LINE. ALSO NOTED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY TO EAT FOOD CUT ONIONS WITH BARE HANDS AT KITCHEN. FOOD EMPLOYEES’ MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. MUST USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🚰handwashing sink blocked or barecritical
  Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
• 🧽surfaces not properly sanitized
  Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized • OBSERVED BLACK MOLD, BROWN SUBSTANCE AND RUST ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. OBSERVED BLACK MOLD ON UPPER INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, BROWN SUBSTANCE ON SHIELD AND RUST ON BOTH SIDES OF INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BLACK MOLD, BROWN SUBSTANCE AND RUST FROM INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
• 🧫food prep surfaces dirty
  Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment For Temperature Control • OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 70.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. PREP COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. NO FOOD WAS IN WALK-IN COOLER. PRIORITY 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
• ⚠️Approved Thawing Methods Used • OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
  Approved Thawing Methods Used • OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
• ⚠️Personal Cleanliness • OBSERVED TWO FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
  Personal Cleanliness • OBSERVED TWO FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
• 🧻grimy wiping cloths
  Wiping Cloths: Properly Used & Stored • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
• 🛠️surfaces / setup not up to code
  Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used • NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FLOORS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
• ⚠️Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • OBSERVED NO SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. • FOUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED IN MEAT DEPARTMENT; SINK IS SLOW DRAINING. WHEN WATER FROM ONE COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED; WATER BACKS UP INTO ADJACENT COMPARTMENTS. ALSO FOUND LEAKING IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA CAUSING WASTE WATER TO LEAK ONTO PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET DRAINAGE SYSTEM SERVICED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
  Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • OBSERVED NO SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. • FOUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED IN MEAT DEPARTMENT; SINK IS SLOW DRAINING. WHEN WATER FROM ONE COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED; WATER BACKS UP INTO ADJACENT COMPARTMENTS. ALSO FOUND LEAKING IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA CAUSING WASTE WATER TO LEAK ONTO PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET DRAINAGE SYSTEM SERVICED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🚿plumbing acting up
  Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
• 🧹floors, walls, or ceilings grimy
  Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean • OBSERVED CLUTTER ABD UNNECESSARY ITEMS THROUGHOUT REAR OF FACILITY. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS A SHELVING IN FRONT DISPLEY PRODUCE COOLER AND REAR OF FACILITY. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE APPROVED SHELVING THAT IS 6INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING. • OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN AREAS SUCH AS IN RETAIL, MEAT DEPARTMENT, REAR PREP(NEXT TO MEAT DEPARTMENT), AND PREP AREA BEHIND TAQUERIA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY AND MAINTAIN. • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING. • OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTER ON WALLS IN REAR AT THE MEAT GRINDER LOCATION AND IN THE MEAT SERVICE AREA WHERE THE MEAT IS CHOPPED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.
• ⚠️All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
• 🥜allergen training missing
  Allergen Training As Required • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

When was Supermercado El Taxquenito last inspected?

Supermercado El Taxquenito has 23 inspections on record going back to March 8, 2013. The 12 most recent are shown below.

Supermercado El Taxquenito vs Belmont Cragin

Belmont Cragin runs 60% clean across 787 tracked restaurants — 470 clean, 175 mid, 137 cooked.

Against the 787 spots Cooked tracks in Belmont Cragin, this one comes out cleaner than 14% of them.

Other spots in Belmont Cragin

• ✓ La Eterna Primavera
  clean · April 16, 2013
• ✓ Pizza Maya
  clean · April 12, 2013
• ✓ Paleteria Oso Polar, Inc.
  clean · August 28, 2017
• ✓! El Huarache De Maria
  mid · November 18, 2019
• ✓ Dragon Boat Restaurant
  clean · February 1, 2017
• ✓ Gorski Bakery
  clean · August 15, 2011

See every restaurant inspection in Belmont Cragin →

How Chicago grades restaurants

Chicago does not use letter grades. Every inspection ends in one of three official results: Pass, Pass with Conditions, or Fail. Pass with Conditions means violations were found but corrected on the spot or under a deadline — the restaurant is open, with homework. A Fail means serious violations went uncorrected, and it usually brings a re-inspection within days. Chicago also flags “priority” violations, the ones most likely to actually make someone sick. Cooked reads Pass as clean, Pass with Conditions as mid, and Fail as cooked, and shows the itemized violations behind each result.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health via Chicago Data Portal. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated July 25, 2024. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.