What is Tacos Montanas's health inspection score?

Tacos Montanas has a SafeDine safety score of 86 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 Montanas last inspected?

Tacos Montanas was last inspected on September 2, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Tacos Montanas have?

Tacos Montanas has 15 total violations across 8 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Tacos Montanas safe to eat at?

Yes, Tacos Montanas has an excellent safety record with a score of 86/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Tacos Montanas

Name: Tacos Montanas
Address: 3254 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago, 60625
Rating: 86

3254 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 7mo ago

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0Excellent

Lincoln Square

Ranked #134 of 447 in Lincoln Square

Declining

8 inspections

Last: Sep 2, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

50%

Clean Rate

1.9

Avg Violations

7 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

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

-14

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-5 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-1 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-8 pts

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

3254 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago, IL 60625

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

2 inspections

1 intermediate

4 basic

Jun

Nov 2023

1 inspections

Dec 2023

1 inspections

2 basic

Dec

Aug 2024

2 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Aug 2025

1 inspections

Aug

Sep 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

Inspection History

8 records on file

4 Canvass4 Non-Inspection

Sep 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
SOME INTERIOR AREAS OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE TO SECURE DOOR GASKETS ON THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR.---- MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
BASEBOARD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH BUMPY, UNEVEN SPRAY FOAM AND CARDBOARD AS SEALANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH CLEANABLE COVING ALONG THE BASEBOARD IN THE COOLER THROUGHOUT.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED ON THE REAR PATIO/WALKWAY MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.

Base deductions−16 pts

Aug 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Aug 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED APPROX: 1/4" INCH GAP OPENINGS AT BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS TO THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF BAR COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLED DEBRIS AND STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER TO REMOVE MOLD-LIKE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO THE BAR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

Base deductions−11 pts

Aug 24

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Dec 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
50HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE−2
OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS REACH 107 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS WOULD REACH 100 F BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO 88 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THERE IS CONSISTENT HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−4 pts

Nov 23

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med4 Basic

5 total

87/100inspection score

−13 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR SUGAR ETC)

Basic (4)

−8 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING AND TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. NO MILK CRATES.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA IN A BAR AREA.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. NOTED CLUTTER ON GROUND.

Base deductions−13 pts

Jun 22

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

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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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