What is EL Taconazo Jr.'s health inspection score?

EL Taconazo Jr. has a SafeDine safety score of 53 out of 100 (Grade C). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was EL Taconazo Jr. last inspected?

EL Taconazo Jr. was last inspected on July 23, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does EL Taconazo Jr. have?

EL Taconazo Jr. has 39 total violations across 7 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is EL Taconazo Jr. safe to eat at?

EL Taconazo Jr. has a safety score of 53/100, which suggests room for improvement. Review the detailed inspection history on SafeDine for more information.

What type of cuisine does EL Taconazo Jr. serve?

EL Taconazo Jr. serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

EL Taconazo Jr.

Name: EL Taconazo Jr.
Address: 4256 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago, 60639
Rating: 53

4256 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 8mo ago

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0Fair

American•Chicago

Ranked #1000 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 17% of american restaurants

Declining

7 inspections

Last: Jul 23, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

29%

Clean Rate

5.6

Avg Violations

9 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Unsafe food sourceHigh Priority

Food obtained from unapproved or unsafe source

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-47

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-13 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-11 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-7 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-21 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

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

4256 W FULLERTON AVE, Chicago, IL 60639

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

2 inspections

2 intermediate

8 basic

Jun

May 2023

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

Jun 2023

1 inspections

Jun

Jun 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

4 intermediate

10 basic

Dec 2024

1 inspections

1 basic

Dec

Jul 2025

1 inspections

3 high priority

3 intermediate

3 basic

Inspection History

7 records on file

2 Complaint3 Canvass2 Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 25

Complaint InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

3 High3 Med3 Basic

9 total1 risk factor

44/100inspection score

−51 pts

High Priority (3)

−30 pts

6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED HALF EATEN BREAD ON PLATE & TO GO CONTAINER SHELF IN KITCHEN AND EMPLOYEE SNACKS ON HOT HOLDING CHIP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE AND CONSUME FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY.
11FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE−10
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 CONTAINERS OF PACKAGED DESSERTS: FLAN, CHOCOFLAN(CAKE), AND VANILLA PUDDING - FOR SALE IN THE FACILITY FROM AN UNKNOWN AND UNAPPROVED SOURCE IN FRONT DISPLAY COOLER. ALL OF THE CONTAINERS WERE UNLABLED: NO IDENTIFICATION OF ITEM AND ITS CONTENTS, AND WITH NO LABEL OF BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. PERSON IN CHARGE INFORMED INSPECTOR DESSERTS ARE HOME-PREPARED. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED ITEMS. INSTRUCTED ALWAYS TO PURCHASE ALL FOOD ITEMS FROM AN APPROVED SOURCE AND APPROVED FACILITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
NOTED TOP INTERIOR SURFACE OF REAR PREP AREA ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD IN PREP COOLER AND WALK-COOLER SHRIMP 47.8 F AND RICE 45.7 F. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 64 LBS VALUED AT $40 PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION
23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION−5
OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS (COOKED CHICKEN, SUADERO(BEEF), PASTOR (PORK), GRILLED PEPPERS AND ONIONS) IN KITCHEN 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR NOT LABELED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE BY WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED, OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX. 19 LBS VALUED AT $80 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SELF-SERVE SWEETS IN DISPLAY CASE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. ITEMS IN THE CASE ARE NOT SEPARATED OR INDIVIDUALLY LABELED. ONE ITEM CONTAINS TREE NUTS AND IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH OTHER CANDY STORED IN THE SAME CASE - ITEMS WITH TREE NUTS SHOULD BE SEPARATED TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY, NET WEIGHT, INGREDIENTS, AND MAJOR ALLERGENS LISTED, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE MADE AND PACKAGED. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCHARGED APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS, VALUED AT $20. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED GREEN AND WHITE WIPING CLOTHS ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN AND ON TOP OF REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITIZING BUCKETS WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION FOR HOLDING WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA WITH DEEP CUTS AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE BY SANDING, RESEALING, OR REPLACING AND MAINTAINING.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY AND COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−51 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Dec 24

Complaint InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN GASKETS ON 2 DOOR REACH IN IN FRONT PREP AREA AND BOTH COOLERS IN REAR PREP. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN GASKETS ON REFRIGERATION UNITS.

Base deductions−2 pts

Jun 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High4 Med10 Basic

15 total

50/100inspection score

−50 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

Intermediate (4)

−20 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE REAR PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT AND WALK-IN COOLER, SUCH AS 100LBS OF COOKED BEANS AT 60-71.1F, 25LBS OF COOKED RICE AT 45.8-51.3F AND 10LBS OF COOKED BEEF AT 61.5F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 135LBS AT $250. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION−5
OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED BEEF, COOKED PORK) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
35APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED−5
OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN A BOXES IN THE REAR 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.
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED SEASONING 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 (10)

−20 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
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
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE 2 DOOR COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
MUST REMOVED CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD AT MAIN LINE IN NEED OF MINOR CLEANING

Base deductions−50 pts

Jun 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

May 23

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED MINOR BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE IN REAR. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED TWO FOOD EMPLOYEES POURING SALSA INTO CUPS WITHOUT WEARING A HAIRNET. MUST WEAR AN EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL TRASH INSIDE OF RECEPTACLE WITH LID SHUT TIGHT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(b). CITATION ISSUED.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD AT MAIN LINE IN NEED OF MINOR CLEANING.

Base deductions−16 pts

Jun 22

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionFail

2 Med8 Basic

10 total

74/100inspection score

−26 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

21PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED HOT TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE; FOUND A CONTAINER OF COOKED PASTOR IN THE COOKS LINE AREA (UNDERNEATH THE FLAT TOP GRILL ON A SHELF) AT 105F, AND A LARGE CONTAINER OF COOKED STEAK ON THE FLAT TOP GRILL RANGING FROM 80F-110F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HOT HOLDING FOODS MUST BE AT 135F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. FOOD DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE "SAUCE" WALK-IN COOLER, AND THE "MIMIS" GLASS DOOR COOLER IN THE DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

Basic (8)

−16 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED COOKED RICE IN THE STEAM WELL BEING HOT-HELD INSIDE A PLASTIC GROCERY BAG. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
FOUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED; SINK IS SLOW DRAINING. WHEN WATER FROM ONE COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED; WATER BACKS UP INTO ADJACENT COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO GET DRAINAGE SYSTEM SERVICED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 1-DOOR PREP COOLER ON THE COOKS LINE, AND INSIDE BOTH MICROWAVES.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
NOTED A LEAK AT THE MOP SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
FOUND HEAVY GREASE AND GRIME BUILD UP INSIDE THE CREVICES OF THE FLOOR MATS THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE AND PREPARATION AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL RUBBER FLOOR MATS AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
NOTED LARGE HOLES IN THE WALLS INSIDE THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. ALSO NOTED THE WALL BASE PEELING OFF THE WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR HOLES AND REATTACH WALL BASE INSIDE WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
MUST PROVIDE A WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION FAN INSIDE THE WOMENS RESTROOM.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 7/20/2021 REPORT #2522930 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #55 (6-201.15) MUST REMOVED CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.12) OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAITAIN. VIOLATION #57 (2-102.13) FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION #58 (2-102.13) NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED O THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THAT EACH CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST HAVE AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−26 pts

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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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