What is Taco Boom's health inspection score?

Taco Boom has a SafeDine safety score of 87 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 Boom last inspected?

Taco Boom was last inspected on July 21, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taco Boom have?

Taco Boom has 14 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taco Boom safe to eat at?

Yes, Taco Boom has an excellent safety record with a score of 87/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Taco Boom

Name: Taco Boom
Address: 5116 N LINCOLN AVE, Chicago, 60625
Rating: 87

5116 N LINCOLN AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 10mo ago

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0Excellent

Lincoln Square

Ranked #128 of 448 in Lincoln Square

Stable

5 inspections

Last: Jul 21, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

20%

Clean Rate

2.8

Avg Violations

10 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-17

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-3 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 83/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (87/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

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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5116 N LINCOLN AVE, Chicago, IL 60625

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Violation Timeline

Sep 2022

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Sep

Aug 2023

1 inspections

2 intermediate

1 basic

Sep 2023

1 inspections

Sep

Jul 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Jul 2025

1 inspections

1 intermediate

2 basic

Jul

Inspection History

5 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

1 Med2 Basic

3 total

91/100inspection score

−9 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

20PROPER COOLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE−5
OBSERVED TWO CONTAINERS OF COOKED BEANS AT 85.6F IN THE 2-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER, FAILED TO COOL FROM 135.0F TO 70.0F WITHIN 2 HOURS. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS THAT FAILED TO COOL AT PROPER TIME AND TEMPERATURES AND INSTRUCTED TO COOL TCS FOOD ITEMS FROM 135.0F TO 70.0F WITHIN 2 HOURS, AND FROM 70.0F TO 41.0F OR BELOW WITHIN 4 HOURS, FOR A TOTAL OF 6 HOURS UTILIZING APPROVED METHODS SUCH AS ICE BATHS, ICE WANDS, OR DISTRIBUTING FOOD INTO SMALLER CONTAINERS. APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS. OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $75.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED ALL MENTIONED TCS FOOD ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA WEARING ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINT BUT MISSING ADEQUATE BEARD RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR ALL REQUIRED FOOD EMPLOYEES WHEN HANDLING OR PREPARING FOOD AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MOP STORED IN THE UTILITY SINK CLOSET WITH MOP HEAD IN CONTACT WITH WALL SURFACE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE MOPS SUCH THAT SOILED MOP HEADS DO NOT CONTAMINATE FLOORS, WALLS, OR OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES WHILE DRYING AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−9 pts

Jul 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

Basic (3)

−6 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD FOR LIGHT FIXTURE AT KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−11 pts

Sep 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Aug 23

Canvass InspectionFail

2 Med1 Basic

3 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED MARINATED BEEF WITH AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED 10 POUNDS OF MARINATED BEEF ($70). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
25CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD−5
OBSERVED MENU WITH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT BUT NO REMINDER ASTERISK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INCLUDE ASTERISK FOR REMINDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Basic (1)

−2 pts

52SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED−2
OBSERVED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WHEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IS DRAINED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SO THAT THE FLOOR DRAIN IS NOT BACKING UP WITH WASTE WATER. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−12 pts

Sep 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE AND ACCURATE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKY DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
FOOD HANDLERS WITH INCOMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IN CHARGE WIHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Base deductions−11 pts

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Community Safety Reports

No reviewed safety reports. Help keep others safe by reporting any food safety concerns.

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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