Tamales Express

3802 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Passed · Apr 8, 2026 Directions
91
Excellent BiteKarma score 91 out of 100
How the BiteKarma score works

Each routine inspection starts at 100 and loses 7 points for every critical violation and 2 for every other one, half again as much when the same problem was cited at one of the two inspections before. A failed inspection counts as 69 at most. The score averages the five newest routine inspections, with the most recent counting most, and stays below 70 for 90 days after a fail unless the restaurant passes again. 90 and up is excellent, 80s good, 70s fair, and below 70 poor.

At a glance

  • Passed 4 of 5 graded inspections since 2022.
  • Last inspected Apr 8, 2026: passed with 5 violations.
  • Keeps coming up: Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean, cited 3 times, plus 1 other repeat issue.

Inspection history 6 visits

  1. 2026
  2. Passed Apr 8

    Canvass

    5 violations
    • Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
    • Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean
    • Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used
    • Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, and cleaned
    • Thermometers provided and accurate
  3. 2024
  4. Passed Apr 12

    Canvass

    1 violation
    • Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, and handled
  5. 2023
  6. Passed Apr 4

    Canvass

    2 violations
    • Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
    • Non-food/food-contact surfaces clean
  7. Visit Mar 21

    Non-Inspection

Nearby

BiteKarma scores around Tamales Express, which is the dark pin. Zoom in to see the dots' scores, and tap a pin marked + to see everything at that address.

  1. 88 Brew Brew Coffee and Tea 300 ft
  2. 69 La Catrina Restaurant 0.2 mi
  3. 94 Little Clown Pizza 0.3 mi
  4. 100 Atomic Wings 0.3 mi
  5. 90 Hoots on Diversey 0.3 mi