Complaint Re-Inspection
Nov 5, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Taqueria El Sauz
2000 W 51st St
Last inspected Nov 5, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
- When was Taqueria El Sauz last inspected?
- The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 5, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
- Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
- No. No violations were recorded at the most recent inspection.
- How many inspections are on record?
- 6 inspections on record, from Apr 9, 2024 to Nov 5, 2026.
- Has Taqueria El Sauz ever been closed by the health department?
- No closure appears in the 6 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Apr 9, 2024.
The Full Inspection History
6 inspectionsComplaint
Oct 29, 2026
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector’s Notes
No valid food service manager certificate on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( beef, chicken... ) instructed to obtain. 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 38Pests
Official Wording
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector’s Notes
Inadequate pest control, found about 50 mouse droppings in dry food storage room and around hot water heater, instructed to eliminate rodent's activity in all affected areas, pest control service recommended. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(A)
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector’s Notes
Shelves above rear prep table not clean, debris and unrelated food items stored above, Open employees drinks. instructed to clean 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector’s Notes
Damaged sections of kitchen floor in front of walk-in cooler and 3-comp sink, instructed to repair 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 29, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 11, 2026
Pass w/ Conditions
3 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
Obstructed hand wash sink, found spatulas and spoons placed in prep kitchen hand hand wash sink, instructed to keep sink free from any utensils for proper hands washing. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(C).
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 36Equipment and utensils
Official Wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s Notes
Inaccurate food Thermometers, thermometer is inaccurate by 12 degrees. Instructed to obtain accurate food thermometers. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.
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 issuesnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s Notes
Unable to locate backflow prevention device for ice maker, instructed to install.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 11, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jul 21, 2025
Pass
4 recorded violations
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official Wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s Notes
INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THERMOMETER INSIDE COOLING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA 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 issuesnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED PREP TABLE SHELVING WITH ACCUMULATED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON SURFACES, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FREE OF SOILED RESIDUES.
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 54Facility maintenance
Official Wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH EXTERIOR SURFACES WITH EXCESS BUILDUP OF GREASE AND FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
In Plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED FLOORS IN FRONT PREP ALONGSIDE AND UNDERNEATH ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT, REAR PREP UNDER PREP TABLES, WALK IN COOLER AND REAR STORAGE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTUJCTED TO PROVIDE 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 21, 2025 · Original Source
Recent Inspection
Jul 9, 2024
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s Notes
4-501.12 CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s Notes
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN LADY'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS AND MAINATIN 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 9, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 9, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
3 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s Notes
CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN LADY'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS AND MAINATIN 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 problemsnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s Notes
NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNIT TO BE IMPROPER:RAW EGGS AT 54.3 F. THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 20 EGGS, APROXIMATE VALUE OF $10, THROUGH THE DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #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 temperatureOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 9, 2024 · Original Source