What is Taco Max's health inspection score?

Taco Max has a SafeDine safety score of 71 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Taco Max last inspected?

Taco Max was last inspected on August 18, 2023. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taco Max have?

Taco Max has 11 total violations across 3 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taco Max safe to eat at?

Taco Max has a good safety record with a score of 71/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Taco Max serve?

Taco Max serves Mexican cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Taco Max

Name: Taco Max
Address: 4009 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago, 60618
Rating: 71

4009 N ELSTON AVE , Chicago

Data may be outdated — inspected 8/18/2023

▲Improving

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0Good

Mexican•North Center

Ranked #392 of 559 in North CenterBetter than 84% of mexican restaurants

Improving

3 inspections

Last: Aug 18, 2023

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

67%

Clean Rate

3.7

Avg Violations

34 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

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

-29

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-2 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-2 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-25 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+10 pts

100

Latest

100% weight

100

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

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4009 N ELSTON AVE , Chicago, IL 60618

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Violation Timeline

Sep 2022

1 inspections

3 intermediate

8 basic

Sep

Oct 2022

1 inspections

Aug 2023

1 inspections

Aug

Inspection History

3 records on file

2 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 23

Canvass InspectionLatestCleanOut of Business

No violations

100/100inspection score

Oct 22

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Sep 22

Canvass InspectionFail

3 Med8 Basic

11 total

69/100inspection score

−31 pts

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD CONTAINERS/BINS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC.)
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED REAR EXIT SCREEN DOOR WITH OPENINGS/TORN SCREEN.INSTRUCTED TO PEST PROOF MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT FRONT BEVERAGE PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT MICE DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS.PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NOW RECCOMENDED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A),CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (8)

−16 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLER AT REAR MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN STORAGE RACKS, PREP TABLES, FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE CHEST FREEZER AND PREP COOLERS,STOVE,BROILER AND DEEP FRYER.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM.MUST PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE DIRT AND GREASE BUILD-UP UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS IN REAR MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA AND DETAIL CLEAN WALLS IN PREP AREA TO REMOVE SPLASHED FOOD DEBRIS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENINGS ON COVING BASEBOARD UNDERNEATH THE POT/PAN STORAGE RACK AND ON LOWER WALL UNDERNEATH THE HAND SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING/PREP AREA.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS OF LIGHT FIXTURES THROUGHOUT THE REAR DISHWASHING/PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.

Base deductions−31 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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