What is Taqueria EL Tapatio's health inspection score?

Taqueria EL Tapatio has a SafeDine safety score of 96 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Taqueria EL Tapatio last inspected?

Taqueria EL Tapatio was last inspected on October 29, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taqueria EL Tapatio have?

Taqueria EL Tapatio has 12 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taqueria EL Tapatio safe to eat at?

Yes, Taqueria EL Tapatio has an excellent safety record with a score of 96/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does Taqueria EL Tapatio serve?

Taqueria EL Tapatio serves Mexican cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Taqueria EL Tapatio

Name: Taqueria EL Tapatio
Address: 4238 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago, 60639
Rating: 96

4238 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 10/29/2025

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0Excellent

Mexican•Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 84% of mexican restaurants

Improving

5 inspections

Last: Oct 29, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

20%

Clean Rate

2.4

Avg Violations

7 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Food labeling

Food not properly labeled or dated

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-8

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-2 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-1 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+9 pts

100

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 92/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (96/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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4238 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago, IL 60639

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

1 inspections

2 basic

Jun

Apr 2023

1 inspections

3 basic

May 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

4 basic

May

Oct 2025

2 inspections

1 intermediate

Inspection History

5 records on file

1 Canvass Re-Inspection4 Canvass

Oct 25

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionLatestCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Oct 25

Canvass InspectionFail

1 Med

1 total

95/100inspection score

−5 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 SMALL FLIES ON SITE. THE SMALL FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ON THE CEILING, ON BOX STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE, WALLS NEAR WALK-IN COOLER AND NEAR MOP SINK, AND ON SHELVES NEAR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACITIVITY, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

Base deductions−5 pts

May 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High1 Med4 Basic

6 total

77/100inspection score

−23 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA BY CHIPS RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY SERVING BASKETS CONTAINER BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SOME ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS BEING USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS/CONTAINERS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−23 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE INTERIOR OF COOKING FRYER. OBSERVED GREASE SPILLS ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE IN REAR. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
MUST PROVIDE LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
FOUND OLD FOOD DEBRIS AND RUST ON THE METAL STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE SPICE RACK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE RUST AND DETAIL CLEAN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE DRAINAGE PIPE UNDERNEATH THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK (LEFT SIDE). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.

Base deductions−4 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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