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IsTheKitchenClean displays publicly available food inspection data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Trending rankings and summaries are automated interpretations of that data and are not official health department assessments. Inspection findings reflect conditions at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at a restaurant.

Tacos Y Tamales El Pollo.

Restaurant

4014 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623

Far South Side

Apr 4, 2024 — Canvass inspection

Conditional

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

40 lbs of cooked tamales stored at dangerously warm temperatures (72-90°F) were discarded during inspection.

Key Findings

  • Hand-washing station in the prep area lacked both soap and paper towels during operation.
  • Cooked tamales were held at 72-90°F instead of the required 135°F or higher, resulting in voluntary discard of approximately $100 worth of food.
  • Two food handlers were observed preparing food without hair restraints.
  • Food handler training certificates were not available on-site for review, and office space contained excessive clutter including a mattress and toys stored on the floor.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #10 — ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED NO HAND CLEANSER AVAILABLE AT IN USE REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA HANDSINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030 (c). CITATION ISSUED.

Violation code #10 — ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED NO PAPERTOWELS AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK LOCATED IN IN USE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #-38-030 (C). CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION. PERSON IN CHARGE PROVIDED AT THIS TIME.

Viewing inspection from Apr 4, 2024 · Show current spotlight →

Inspection History

Tacos Y Tamales El Pollo. has had 15 inspections in the last 5 years with a 47% pass rate. Last inspection was on Aug 18, 2026.

Aug 18, 2026Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

Standout inspection
Aug 13, 2026Fail

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

8 violations
Standout inspection
Aug 4, 2026Fail

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

12 violations
Standout inspection
Jul 27, 2026Fail

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

16 violations
Standout inspection
Jul 20, 2026Fail

Short Form Complaint — A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

12 violations
Standout inspection
Jul 2, 2026Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

10 violations
Standout inspection
Jun 25, 2026Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

12 violations
Jan 29, 2026Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

8 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 22, 2026Fail

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

12 violations
Jul 29, 2025Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

8 violations
May 19, 2025Fail

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

10 violations
Apr 4, 2024ConditionalVIEWING NOW

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

6 violations
Jun 13, 2023Conditional

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

7 violations
Dec 8, 2022Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

1 violation
Nov 28, 2022Fail

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

2 violations