What is Mago's Tamales & Taqueria's health inspection score?

Mago's Tamales & Taqueria has a SafeDine safety score of 48 out of 100 (Grade C). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Mago's Tamales & Taqueria last inspected?

Mago's Tamales & Taqueria was last inspected on November 14, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Mago's Tamales & Taqueria have?

Mago's Tamales & Taqueria has 38 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Mago's Tamales & Taqueria safe to eat at?

Mago's Tamales & Taqueria has a safety score of 48/100, which suggests room for improvement. Review the detailed inspection history on SafeDine for more information.

Official Health Record

Mago's Tamales & Taqueria

Name: Mago's Tamales & Taqueria
Address: 5211 W DIVERSEY AVE, Chicago, 60639
Rating: 48

5211 W DIVERSEY AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 11/14/2025

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0Poor

Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in Chicago

Declining

6 inspections

Last: Nov 14, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

6.3

Avg Violations

5 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature controlHigh Priority

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Pest issuesHigh Priority

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Other violationHigh Priority

Regulatory compliance issue

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-52

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-7 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-8 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-12 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-22 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

5211 W DIVERSEY AVE, Chicago, IL 60639

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Violation Timeline

May 2022

1 inspections

1 high priority

5 basic

May

May 2023

2 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

2 basic

Jun 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 intermediate

7 basic

Jun

Oct 2024

1 inspections

7 basic

Nov 2025

1 inspections

3 high priority

2 intermediate

5 basic

Nov

Inspection History

6 records on file

4 Canvass1 Complaint1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

3 High2 Med5 Basic

10 total2 risk factors

40/100inspection score

−50 pts

High Priority (3)

−30 pts

1PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIESRisk Factor−10
NO PERSON ON SITE WITH FOODSERVICE MANAGER TRAINING.
2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT CERTIFIED MANAGER AS WELL AS VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (BEANS, RICE, CHICKEN, STEAK). PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
OBSERVED COLD HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA AT 61F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL COLD HOLD UNITS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION BY CDPH AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT NO TCS FOODS MAY BE STORED IN UNIT UNTIL RE-INSPECTION.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED TCS FOOD STORED IN FRONT PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE RANGE OF 58F-60F. THE FOLLOWING COLD HOLD ITEMS OBSERVED AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING; SLICED TOMATOES, CHOPPED BEEF, SHREDDED CHICKEN, DICED TOMATOES, COOKED CHORIZO. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10LBS OF DENATURED FOOD AT A COST OF $100. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED 1/4IN GAP IN BOTTOM CORNER OF REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (5)

−10 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON TWO DOOR COOLER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED PREP TABLE IN REAR USED FOR STORAGE WITH EXCESSIVE RUST ON BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED BROKEN LID ON COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
OBSERVED DEBRIS AND LITTER UNDER AND AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED LITTER AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER SHELVING AND ALONG WALL BEHIND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−50 pts

Risk factor bonus (2× +5)−10 pts

Oct 24

Complaint InspectionPass

7 Basic

7 total

86/100inspection score

−14 pts

Basic (7)

−14 pts

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 MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. MUST REMOVE CRATES FROM PREMISES AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS FREE OF UNNECESSARY CREVICES AND DESIGNED/CONSTRUCTED TO BE EASILY CLEANABLE.
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. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−14 pts

Jun 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High3 Med7 Basic

11 total

61/100inspection score

−39 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

9NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED−10
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOOD TORTILLA WITH BARE HANDS AND ADD TO ONIONS IN KITCHEN AT FOOD LINE. FOOD EMPLOYEES? MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. MUST USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED BEEF AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 70.2F IN PREP AREA. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED VOLUNTARILY. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS AT A COST OF $100.00. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
35APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED−5
OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT THAWING IN THE 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.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED AS REQUIRED. MUST COMPLETELY RODENT PROOF DOOR BY SEALING 1/4 GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

Basic (7)

−14 pts

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
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE 2 DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER UNIT WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
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. 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.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED ONE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN THE MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−39 pts

May 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
2-102.13--OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−2 pts

May 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High1 Med1 Basic

3 total

83/100inspection score

−17 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER AT 55.4F. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED CHORIZO AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 59.2F IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. ALSO OBSERVED NUMEROUS OF TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE SUCH AS EGGS, STEAK, CHICKEN, SOUR CREAM, CHEESE, SLICED TOMATOES ALL RANGING FROM 55-62.0F. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED VOLUNTARILY. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 75 LBS AT A COST OF $400.00. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−17 pts

May 22

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High5 Basic

6 total1 risk factor

75/100inspection score

−20 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (EGGS, STEAK) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (5)

−10 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE OR REPAIR THE DAMAGED AND PEELING PLASTIC BOARD BEING USED AS A SHELF LOCATED ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. MUST REMOVE CRATES FROM PREMISES AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS FREE OF UNNECESSARY CREVICES AND DESIGNED/CONSTRUCTED TO BE EASILY CLEANABLE.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
FOUND HEAVY ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE GLASS TOP CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DEFROST, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
FOUND HEAVY DIRT BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE GREASE TRAP AND UNDERNEATH THE PREP TABLE LOCATED NEXT TO THE BOILER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−20 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 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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