What is Tacos EL Tio's health inspection score?

Tacos EL Tio has a SafeDine safety score of 85 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Tacos EL Tio last inspected?

Tacos EL Tio was last inspected on October 15, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Tacos EL Tio have?

Tacos EL Tio has 25 total violations across 8 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Tacos EL Tio safe to eat at?

Yes, Tacos EL Tio has an excellent safety record with a score of 85/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does Tacos EL Tio serve?

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

Official Health Record

Tacos EL Tio

Name: Tacos EL Tio
Address: 3734 W GRAND AVE, Chicago, 60651
Rating: 85

3734 W GRAND AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 10/15/2025

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0Excellent

Mexican•Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 80% of mexican restaurants

Stable

8 inspections

Last: Oct 15, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

13%

Clean Rate

3.1

Avg Violations

6 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Food labeling

Food not properly labeled or dated

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-15

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-6 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-3 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

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

3734 W GRAND AVE, Chicago, IL 60651

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Violation Timeline

Nov 2022

1 inspections

1 intermediate

2 basic

Nov

Dec 2022

1 inspections

1 basic

Jun 2023

1 inspections

4 basic

Jun

Jun 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

5 basic

Jan 2025

2 inspections

2 basic

Jan

Oct 2025

2 inspections

3 intermediate

6 basic

Inspection History

8 records on file

1 Complaint Re-Inspection1 Complaint2 Canvass Re-Inspection4 Canvass

Oct 25

Complaint Re-Inspection InspectionLatestPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-302.12: OBSERVED TWO SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED ON THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
2-402.11: OBSERVED TWO FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
44UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED−2
4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED SERVING SPOONS AND FLAT EDGE SPATULAS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
5-205.15: OBSERVED THE PIPES UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/ PREP AREA AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH LEAKS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−11 pts

Oct 25

Complaint InspectionFail

2 Med3 Basic

5 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
OBSERVED NO PROBE STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED TWO SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED ON THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED TWO FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
44UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED−2
OBSERVED SERVING SPOONS AND FLAT EDGE SPATULAS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED THE PIPES UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING/ PREP AREA AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH LEAKS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−16 pts

Jan 25

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jan 25

Canvass InspectionFail

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
OBSERVED OUTSIDE DUMPSTER LID UNABLE TO CLOSE DUE TO TRASH OVERFLOWING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (B). CITATION ISSUED.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Base deductions−4 pts

Jun 24

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 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, AT 2:10PM, WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED/SERVED AND STORED. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 2:35PM. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (5)

−10 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED STAFF MEMBER WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (TORTILLAS AND TACO SHELLS) IN GROCERY BAGS INSIDE COOLER UNIT IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE RESTROOM WALL ABOVE THE SINK WITH SMALL WHOLE EXPOSED WITH NO COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/COVER AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE RESTROOM VENTILATION WITH DEBRIS/DIRTY LENT ACCUMULATION/BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED NO LIGHTBULB SHIELDING IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−20 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Jun 23

Canvass InspectionPass

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE 2 DOOR COOLER BY THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
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
NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL

Base deductions−8 pts

Dec 22

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 THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

Base deductions−2 pts

Nov 22

Canvass InspectionFail

1 Med2 Basic

3 total

91/100inspection score

−9 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

25CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD−5
OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU TO IDENTIFY WHICH FOOD ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE A STAR OR ASTERISK OR OTHER MEANS TO LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
61SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC−2
OBSERVED THE PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 11/29/21 WAS NOT POSTED IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−9 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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