What is Taqueria EL Charro's health inspection score?

Taqueria EL Charro has a SafeDine safety score of 82 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Taqueria EL Charro last inspected?

Taqueria EL Charro was last inspected on May 9, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taqueria EL Charro have?

Taqueria EL Charro has 30 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taqueria EL Charro safe to eat at?

Taqueria EL Charro has a good safety record with a score of 82/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

Official Health Record

Taqueria EL Charro

Name: Taqueria EL Charro
Address: 6661 N CLARK ST, Chicago, 60626
Rating: 82

6661 N CLARK ST, Chicago

Last inspected 11mo ago

▲Improving

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0Good

Rogers Park

Ranked #72 of 202 in Rogers Park

Improving

6 inspections

Last: May 9, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

17%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

11 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-18

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-3 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-1 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-6 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+7 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

6661 N CLARK ST, Chicago, IL 60626

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Violation Timeline

Aug 2022

1 inspections

3 intermediate

10 basic

Aug

Sep 2022

1 inspections

4 basic

Apr 2023

1 inspections

Apr

May 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

7 basic

Oct 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 basic

Oct

May 2025

1 inspections

3 basic

Inspection History

6 records on file

5 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

May 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON THE UTILITY SINK IN REAR UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER STAFF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.

Base deductions−6 pts

Oct 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High1 Basic

2 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WATER RESERVOIR NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP AND BIN). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
ALL EMPLOYEE WITHOUT CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND POSTED ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE

Base deductions−12 pts

May 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med7 Basic

8 total

81/100inspection score

−19 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
FOOD MUST BE LABELED WITH A COMMON NAME

Basic (7)

−14 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE CHESTFREEZERS AND REACH-IN COOLERS. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS. MUST REPLACE.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST PROVIDE A LOCKERS FOR THE CHEST FREEZERS,TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER STORED IN DINING ROOM AND ACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS.DOOR MUST BE LOCKET AT ALL TIMES FOR FOOD PROTECTION OR REMOVE UNIT
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
MUST NOT USE PAPER TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING INSIDE THE REACH-IN COOLER. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE PROVIDED AT STAFF AND CUSTOMER'S WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
LIGHTS IN PREP AREA WITHOUT PROTECTIVE SHIELD, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SHIELDS OR SHATTER RESISTANT BULBS. OR PROVIDE END CAPS AT PROTECTIVE SHIELD AT PRESENT FIXTURE.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
ALL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE ARE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR THREE YEARS

Base deductions−19 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Sep 22

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
: 5-205.15-- FAUCET/HOT AND COLD HANDLES ON THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK ARE IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE TO BE CLEANABLE.-----HOT HANDLE ON THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK STRIPPED. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO BE FUNCTIONAL.----LEAK UNDER THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK INTO A PAN. MUST REPAIR. 5-204.12-- NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHERE A HOSE IS LOCATED. MUST PROVIDE.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
5-501.115-- MUST REMOVE ALL PILED CARDBOARD BOXES AND LARGE PILE OF WOOD AND WOODEN PALLETS STORED ON THE REAR WALK-WAY TOWARD THE GARBAGE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-201.11-- -CRACKED/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
6-202.11-- MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.

Base deductions−8 pts

Aug 22

Canvass InspectionFail

3 Med10 Basic

13 total

65/100inspection score

−35 pts

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

25CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD−5
NOTED SUNNY-SIDE-UP EGGS AND EGGS COOKED TO ORDER, NOT REMINDED AND DISCLOSED ON THE WALL MENU. MUST ADEQUATELY DISCLOSE AND REMIND FOR UNDERCOOKED EGGS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION WAS ISSUED.
36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
NOTED ALL METAL STEM THERMOMETERS ON-SITE IN POOR REPAIR, EXTREMELY DIRTY, AND UNABLE TO READ. NOT CALIBRATED. MUST PROVIDE ACCURATE, FUNCTIONAL, CALIBRATED METAL STEM THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IE: SUGAR, RICE ETC. IT MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

Basic (10)

−20 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
45SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED−2
ALL STORED ITEMS AT THE FRONT PREP AND IN THE MOP CLOSET ROOM MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS: INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE OVEN, INTERIOR OF THE KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER, GAS STOVE TOP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING ON FOOD CARTS, ON SHELVING INSIDE COOLERS, OR AS A BUMPER GUARD ON FOOD CARTS. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FAUCET/HOT AND COLD HANDLES ON THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK ARE IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE TO BE CLEANABLE.-----HOT HANDLE ON THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK STRIPPED. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO BE FUNCTIONAL.----LEAK UNDER THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK INTO A PAN. MUST REPAIR.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHERE A HOSE IS LOCATED. MUST PROVIDE.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
MUST REMOVE ALL PILED CARDBOARD BOXES AND LARGE PILE OF WOOD AND WOODEN PALLETS STORED ON THE REAR WALK-WAY TOWARD THE GARBAGE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
EXCESSIVE FOOD SPLATTER ON THE WALLS AND CEILING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND ON THE WOODEN SWING DOORS LEADING TO THE KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND THE REAR HALLWAY STORAGE. MUST REPLACE.----CRACKED/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
THE PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2537730 ON 11-3-21 WAS NOT CORRECTED. #47- MUST PROVIDE A LOCK FOR TWO-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER AND CHEST FREEZERS IN THE DINING AREA EXCESS TO CUSTOMERS. THE DOOR MUST BE LOCKED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−35 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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