What is Taqueria Los Molcajetes's health inspection score?

Taqueria Los Molcajetes has a SafeDine safety score of 72 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 Los Molcajetes last inspected?

Taqueria Los Molcajetes was last inspected on March 3, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Taqueria Los Molcajetes have?

Taqueria Los Molcajetes has 21 total violations across 4 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Taqueria Los Molcajetes safe to eat at?

Taqueria Los Molcajetes has a good safety record with a score of 72/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Taqueria Los Molcajetes serve?

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

Official Health Record

Taqueria Los Molcajetes

Name: Taqueria Los Molcajetes
Address: 1729 N CICERO AVE BLDG, Chicago, 60639
Rating: 72

1729 N CICERO AVE BLDG, Chicago

Last Inspected: 3/3/2026

▲Improving

Own or manage this restaurant?

Claim it to unlock analytics →

0Good

Mexican•Chicago

Ranked #408 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 80% of mexican restaurants

Improving

4 inspections

Last: Mar 3, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

5.3

Avg Violations

1 month ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Facility conditionHigh Priority

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-28

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-6 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-3 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-7 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+15 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

1729 N CICERO AVE BLDG, Chicago, IL 60639

Open in Maps

View Menu Order Online

Violation Timeline

May 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

May

Aug 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

4 basic

Apr 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

2 intermediate

6 basic

Apr

Mar 2026

1 inspections

1 high priority

2 basic

Inspection History

4 records on file

3 Canvass1 License

Mar 26

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 High2 Basic

3 total

86/100inspection score

−14 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT BAR PREP SINK. A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS SHALL BE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.

Base deductions−14 pts

Apr 25

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High2 Med6 Basic

9 total1 risk factor

63/100inspection score

−32 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
FOUND METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES INOPERABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A WORKING THERMOMETER AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER WENT TO PURCHASE ONE DURING TYPING OF REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

Basic (6)

−12 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. Observation Type IN N/A OUT

Base deductions−32 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Aug 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High4 Basic

5 total1 risk factor

77/100inspection score

−18 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−18 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

May 24

License InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High3 Basic

4 total1 risk factor

79/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.

Base deductions−16 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Community Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Leave a Review

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.

Explore More

Restaurants in Chicago Mexican Restaurants Best in Chicago All Illinois Restaurants