Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Taco Max Cantina

2808-2810 N Halsted St

Last inspected Sep 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Taco Max Cantina last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Sep 23, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 3 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 5 inspections on record, from Sep 19, 2024 to Sep 23, 2026.
Has Taco Max Cantina ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Sep 19, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

5 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Sep 23, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

4-501.11: **C** Good Repair and Proper Adjustment- Equipment OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING/NOT WORKING for all 3 COMPARTMENTS INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

Sewage & waste water properly disposed

Inspector’s Notes

5-403.12: **C** Other Liquid Wastes and Rainwater OBSERVED CONDENSATE DRAINAGE WATER LINE FROM WALK-IN COOLER REAR PREP AREA ( NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR)DISCHARGING INTO PLASTIC BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO DRAIN CONDENSATE DRAINAGE WATER FROM POINT OF DISCHARGE TO DISPOSAL, SUCH AS TO A FLOOR DRAIN OR OTHER FLOOR-MOUNTED PLUMBING FIXTURE, ACCORDING TO THE LAW AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

6-501.12: **C** Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 23, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 26, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN MAIN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN MAIN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED A BIG OPENING INTO WALL NEXT TO ICE MACHINE IN FRONT SERVICE STATION AREA. MUST SEAL OPENING AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 26, 2025 · Original Source

License

Dec 10, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 10, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 10, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED SMALL ICE SCOOP ON THE SIDE OF FRONT COOLER NEAR ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY CLEAN, SANITIZE AND AIR-DRY ICE SCOOP. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official Wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF COOKED TCS FOODS - REFRIED BEANS 45.1 F, CHORIZO 72.0 & 62.9 F, GROUND BEEF 53.3 F, CHICKEN TINGA 57.8 F, ROASTED PORK 61.5, LENGUA 51.9 F, MARINATED PORK 64.3 F IN WALK-IN COOLER 2. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 75 LBS VALUED AT $150. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

In Plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 39Contamination

Official Wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED LOOSE DUST ON COMPRESSOR FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER #2. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED LARGE BLUE ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF FRONT COOLER NEXT TO ICE MACHINE AND SMALL ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE OF ICE BIN AT BAR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE PROPER ICE SCOOP HOLDERS AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED STAINED AND DEEPLY CUT CUTTING BOARDS IN KITCHEN ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED ENCRUSTED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER ALL FRYERS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED UNNECESSARY ITEMS BETWEEN CHEST COOLER AND NORTHEAST WALL AT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, STORING ALL KEPT ITEMS ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON POUROUS AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 10, 2024 · Original Source

License