Canvass
Nov 2, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 2, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Taco Palate
1608 W North Ave
Last inspected Nov 2, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
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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 Palate last inspected?
- The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 2, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Out of Business”.
- Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
- No. No violations were recorded at the most recent inspection.
- How many inspections are on record?
- 3 inspections on record, from Jan 26, 2024 to Nov 2, 2026.
- Has Taco Palate ever been closed by the health department?
- No closure appears in the 3 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Jan 26, 2024.
The Full Inspection History
3 inspectionsCanvass
May 5, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
14 recorded violations
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector’s Notes
PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (STEAK,PORK,RICE,SALSA)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SLOW DRAIN AT HAND SINK IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.
In Plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 21Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 2 LBS. COOKED STEAK AT 74.1°F ON TOPSIDE OF UNUSED GRILL. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR BELOW.APPX. 2LBS.$10.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(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 temperaturenotedCode 22Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT AND COOKED FOODS, SUCH AS 5 LBS. RED & GREEN SALSAS 47.8F-52.2F.2.5LBS. SOUR CREAM-59.0F.1LB. DICED TOMATO-45.5F.1LB. SHREED LETTUCE-53.6F.2LBS. COOKED PORK-51.4F.1.5LBS. COOKED CHIROZO-47.8F.1LB. COOKED CHICKEN-45.5F.5LBS. COOKED RICE-59.7F.15LBS. RAW BEEF STEAK-52.9F INSIDE OF FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER & REAR REFRIGERATOR. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX.34LBS. $300.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )(COS)
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 temperaturenotedCode 33Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 2-DOOR FRONT PREP COOLER AT 45.9F AND REAR REFRIGERATOR AT 60.9F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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 temperaturenotedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official Wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s Notes
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
In Plain English
Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.
More about food source, dating, or labeling problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official Wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s Notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR SWEEP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
In Plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official Wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s Notes
MUST ELEVATE LARGE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS OFF OF FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.
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 contaminationnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s Notes
MUST REMOVE RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM EXTERIOR & INTERIOR OF UNUSED GRILL,FRYER CABINET,UNUSED WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM TO HANG UP WET MOPS.
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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 5, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 26, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
4 recorded violations
notedCode 8Handwashing
Official Wording
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE WASH HANDS WITH AT HAND WASHING SINK WITHOUT USING SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES WASH HANDS WITH SOAP. MANAGER INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO USE SOAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
In Plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 9Employee health and hygiene
Official Wording
NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE TOUCH READY-TO-EAT TACOS WITH BARE HANDS TO ADJUST TACOS INSIDE TO-GO CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES DO NOT TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. THE MANAGER INSTRUCTED THE EMPLOYEE TO REMAKE TACOS WITH GLOVES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
In Plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.
In Plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 26, 2024 · Original Source