Pittsburgh Taco Truck Shuttered Over Health Violations

Tacos El Rey closed by county health department for lack of water, sinks, and proper permits.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up X-ray photograph showing the internal structure of a food truck's sink and water system, revealing the lack of proper equipment that led to the truck's closure.An X-ray view exposes the lack of basic plumbing and sanitation equipment that led to the shutdown of a Pittsburgh food truck.Today in Pittsburgh

The Allegheny County Health Department has ordered the closure of the Tacos El Rey food truck in Pittsburgh's Brookline neighborhood after an inspection found the truck was operating without hot or cold running water, a hand sink, or a three-compartment sink. The truck was also cited for storing raw eggs above ready-to-eat cilantro and operating without a valid health permit.

Why it matters

Food safety regulations are in place to protect public health, and the lack of basic sanitation equipment and proper permits at Tacos El Rey raised serious concerns about the truck's ability to safely prepare and serve food. Closures of this nature can undermine consumer confidence in the local food truck scene.

The details

During an inspection on March 27, health inspectors discovered that the Tacos El Rey food truck had no hot or cold running water available, was missing a required hand sink and three-compartment sink, and was operating without a valid health permit. Inspectors also noted that raw eggs were being stored above ready-to-eat cilantro, which poses a cross-contamination risk.

  • The inspection took place on March 27, 2026.
  • The closure was not reflected on the Allegheny County website until April 8, 2026.

The players

Tacos El Rey

A food truck operating in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County Health Department

The local public health agency responsible for inspecting and regulating food service establishments in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Tacos El Rey food truck must address the identified health and safety issues and obtain a valid permit from the Allegheny County Health Department before it will be allowed to reopen.

The takeaway

This closure highlights the importance of food trucks and other mobile food vendors adhering to strict health and safety standards to protect the public. Consumers should remain vigilant when patronizing food trucks and report any concerns to local health authorities.