What is Taqueria EL Malecon's health inspection score?

Taqueria EL Malecon has a SafeDine safety score of 78 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 Malecon last inspected?

Taqueria EL Malecon was last inspected on April 29, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taqueria EL Malecon have?

Taqueria EL Malecon has 22 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taqueria EL Malecon safe to eat at?

Taqueria EL Malecon has a good safety record with a score of 78/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

Official Health Record

Taqueria EL Malecon

Name: Taqueria EL Malecon
Address: 2817 W IRVING PARK RD, Chicago, 60618
Rating: 78

2817 W IRVING PARK RD, Chicago

Last inspected 11mo ago

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0Good

North Center

Ranked #307 of 551 in North Center

Declining

5 inspections

Last: Apr 29, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

4.4

Avg Violations

12 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-22

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-6 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-7 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-9 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

2817 W IRVING PARK RD, Chicago, IL 60618

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Violation Timeline

Jul 2022

1 inspections

4 basic

Jul

Apr 2023

2 inspections

4 intermediate

5 basic

Sep 2024

1 inspections

4 basic

Sep

Apr 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

4 basic

Inspection History

5 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 High4 Basic

5 total

82/100inspection score

−18 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED INTERIOR GUARD OF ICE MACHINE WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED BOXED FOOD AND BULK FOOD CONTAINERS BEING STORED ON FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTIING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED RUST ON STORAGE SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED HOLES SUROUNDING PIPING IN CEILING ABOVE HOT WATER TANK NEAR MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO SMOOTHLY SEAL ALL HOLES AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−18 pts

Sep 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.
39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
NOTED INDIVIDUAL TO-GO DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS AND BOWLS WITH NO HANDLE USED FOR SCOOPING SERVING FOOD AT THE SERVICE PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TONGS, SERVING SPOONS, OR LADLE FOR SCOOPING FOOD.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE HAND WASHING SINK OF THE PREP AREA (COLD WATER TURNED OFF). ALSO NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM PIPING OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
NOTED THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 RULE #PA-100-0367 FROM INSPECTION REPORT #: 2573957 DATED 04/10/2023 NOT CORRECTED.FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE . INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−8 pts

Apr 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
FOUND INCOMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Base deductions−2 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionFail

4 Med4 Basic

8 total

72/100inspection score

−28 pts

Intermediate (4)

−20 pts

25CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD−5
FOUND INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS (PREP COOLER, REACH-IN COOLER, WALK-IN COOLER)
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (RICE, BEANS, SPICES ETC)
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOFED BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR EXIT DOOR.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. NOTED DRIED LEAVES UNDER AND BEHIND GARBAGE DUMPSTER.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE REAR STORAGE ROOM. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE FRONT AND IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE . INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Base deductions−28 pts

Jul 22

Canvass InspectionPass

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES AT REAR NEAR THE WALK-IN-COOLER AND PROVIDE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS FOR LIGHT FIXTURES SAME AREA AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−8 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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