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Restaurant inspections / Restaurant

Carmelita'S Taqueria

1206 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago 60640 · Risk 1 (High)

Pass

Most recent result

May 6, 2026

19

Inspections on record

14

Times passed

1

Times failed

Violations cited on May 6, 2026

  1. #6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
  2. #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE PREP SERVICE COOLERS AT THE KITCHEN PREP OF 1ST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
  3. #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE BASEMENT KITCHEN AREA/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL.
  4. #58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION (EXPIRED CERTIFICATE). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Inspection history

DateTypeResultRisk
May 6, 2026CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Mar 25, 2025CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Mar 6, 2024CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jan 12, 2023CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Apr 20, 2022CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Mar 2, 2021CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Feb 4, 2020CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
May 8, 2019CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jun 7, 2018CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jul 31, 2017CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
May 10, 2016CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Aug 4, 2015Complaint Re-InspectionPassRisk 1 (High)
Jul 27, 2015ComplaintFailRisk 1 (High)
Jan 23, 2015CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jan 15, 2014CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
May 10, 2013CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Mar 22, 2012Short Form ComplaintPassRisk 1 (High)
Mar 1, 2012CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Nov 23, 2010CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)

Source

Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.

Other inspected places in 60640

Chicago Montessori4511 N Hermitage AveLa Cubanita Mexican Restaurant Inc1511 W Devon AveMariano'S #85225201 N Sheridan RdMiss Saigon1129 W Argyle StTiffanys4645 N BroadwayMariano'S #85151800 W Lawrence Ave

Carmelita'S Taqueria — questions

Did Carmelita'S Taqueria pass its last health inspection?
Carmelita'S Taqueria at 1206 W Lawrence Ave was inspected on May 6, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 19 inspections on record it has failed 1 time.
What violations were cited at Carmelita'S Taqueria?
The most recent inspection cited 4 violations, beginning with: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?
Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
Where does this inspection data come from?
The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.

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