What is Taqueria LA Esmeralda's health inspection score?

Taqueria LA Esmeralda has a SafeDine safety score of 76 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 LA Esmeralda last inspected?

Taqueria LA Esmeralda was last inspected on January 24, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taqueria LA Esmeralda have?

Taqueria LA Esmeralda has 19 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taqueria LA Esmeralda safe to eat at?

Taqueria LA Esmeralda has a good safety record with a score of 76/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Taqueria LA Esmeralda serve?

Taqueria LA Esmeralda serves Mexican cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Taqueria LA Esmeralda

Name: Taqueria LA Esmeralda
Address: 6310 N WESTERN AVE, Chicago, 60659
Rating: 76

6310 N WESTERN AVE, Chicago

Data may be outdated — inspected 1/24/2025

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0Good

Mexican•Chicago

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

Stable

5 inspections

Last: Jan 24, 2025

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

3.8

Avg Violations

15 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

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-24

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-6 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-12 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+3 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

6310 N WESTERN AVE, Chicago, IL 60659

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

1 inspections

3 basic

Jun

Apr 2023

1 inspections

3 basic

Mar 2024

2 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

7 basic

Mar

Jan 2025

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Inspection History

5 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS ON PREP AREA FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT/ALONG WALLS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SMALL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL HOLE/GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−11 pts

Mar 24

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM

Base deductions−2 pts

Mar 24

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High1 Med6 Basic

8 total

73/100inspection score

−27 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

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

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
WE OBSERVED 6 BABY ROACHES COMING OUT FROM HANDLES OF HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA,WHEN HANDLES IS TURNED ON.ONE LIVE ADULT ROACH INSIDE THE FRAME OF HANDWASHING SIGN ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK(SAME SINK).TWO LIVE ADULT ROACHES IN BASEMENT BEHIND THE REACH-IN AND CHEST FREEZER. MUST REMOVE. CLEAN AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION :7-38-O20(A),CITATION ISSUED

Basic (6)

−12 pts

44UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED−2
MUST NOT STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARD ON THE BACK-SPLASH OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
45SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED−2
KNIVE SARE STORED BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND WALL,MUST PROVIDE KNIFE RACK
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHROOM NOT MAINTAINED: FAUCET NOT REACHING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, ONLY MIDDLE COMPARTMENT NOT ABLE TO USE COMPARTMENT FOR WASH AND SANITIZE.FAUCET MUST REACH ALL THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR :WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-025,CITATION ISSUED
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT OR CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVE AND DEEP FRYER WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
PROVIDE COVER AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WASHROOM

Base deductions−27 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
FOUND POTS TO LARGE TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE,AND SANITIZE INSIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE LARGE POTS.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT MOP SINK FAUCET.MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 6-22-22 INSPECTION# 2559715.VIOLATION 58.OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE COMPLETES ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND RECEIVES ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-42-090.MUST PROVIDE.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FREEZERS LOCATED IN BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS TO STORE FOOD ITEMS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS/SPILLS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE COMPLETES ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND RECEIVES ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE.

Base deductions−6 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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