What is Spicy Taco's health inspection score?

Spicy Taco has a SafeDine safety score of 83 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Spicy Taco last inspected?

Spicy Taco was last inspected on November 24, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Spicy Taco have?

Spicy Taco has 24 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Spicy Taco safe to eat at?

Spicy Taco has a good safety record with a score of 83/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Spicy Taco serve?

Spicy Taco serves Mexican cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Spicy Taco

Name: Spicy Taco
Address: 2825 N MILWAUKEE AVE, Chicago, 60618
Rating: 83

2825 N MILWAUKEE AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 11/24/2025

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0Good

Mexican•North Center

Ranked #257 of 559 in North CenterBetter than 84% of mexican restaurants

Stable

6 inspections

Last: Nov 24, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

17%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

6 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature controlHigh Priority

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Sanitation

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-16

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-3 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-1 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 84/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (83/100) 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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2825 N MILWAUKEE AVE, Chicago, IL 60618

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Violation Timeline

Jul 2022

2 inspections

3 high priority

3 intermediate

3 basic

Jul

May 2023

1 inspections

5 basic

Dec 2024

1 inspections

1 basic

Dec

Oct 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

Nov 2025

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Nov

Inspection History

6 records on file

1 Canvass Re-Inspection3 Canvass1 License Re-Inspection1 License

Nov 25

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionLatestPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME AT THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR OR WEATHER GUARD TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN WATER WITHOUT ADEQUATE SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR WIPING FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES IN AN ADEQUATE SANTIIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED INTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF NONFUNCTIONAL LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED BY DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA GRILL LINE IN POOR REPAIR, WATER-DAMAGED OR HEAT-DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HEAT- AND WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.

Base deductions−11 pts

Oct 25

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High1 Med3 Basic

5 total

79/100inspection score

−21 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
OBSERVED REAR LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER (IN MAIN KITCHEN AREA) IN POOR REPAIR, NONFUNCTIONAL AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PERSON-IN-CHARGE AWARE OF COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO INSPECTION AND REMOVED ALL TCS FOOD FROM COOLER PRIOR TO INSPECTOR ARRIVAL. TAGGED EQUIPMENT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT CDPH ONCE COOLER IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE COOLER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE FOR MAINTAINING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME AT THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR OR WEATHER GUARD TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN WATER WITHOUT ADEQUATE SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR WIPING FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES IN AN ADEQUATE SANTIIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED INTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF NONFUNCTIONAL LARGE 3-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED BY DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA GRILL LINE IN POOR REPAIR, WATER-DAMAGED OR HEAT-DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HEAT- AND WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.

Base deductions−21 pts

Dec 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Base deductions−2 pts

May 23

Canvass InspectionPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. NOTED PLASTIC BAG IS USED AS A DRAIN STOPPER.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOW (COLD) WATER PRESSURE AT HANDSINK IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE MUST BE COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID/COVER.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT MEN'S WASHROOM DOOR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO REORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM (NEXT TO THE FRONT COUNTER). FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

Base deductions−10 pts

Jul 22

License Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jul 22

License InspectionFail

3 High3 Med3 Basic

9 total1 risk factor

44/100inspection score

−51 pts

High Priority (3)

−30 pts

5PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTSRisk Factor−10
FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT ITS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS (KITCHEN, FRONT COUNTER).
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
FOUND NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN AND AT FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

Intermediate (3)

−15 pts

25CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD−5
FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENUS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT 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.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
FOUND APPROXIMATELY 50 RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR IN FURNACE CLOSET AND IN FRONT OFFICE SPACE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NOW RECOMMENDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A).
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
FOUND OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT MESH SCREEN FOR THE NORTH WALL FAN IN THE KITCHEN TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
FOUND FLOORS IN KITCHEN BEHIND UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENTS WITH GREASE BUILD-UP AND DEBRIS.MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

Base deductions−51 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

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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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