JAN 14
2026
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TROPICAL SMOOOTHIE CAFE.
BEAT. 38/100
1509 N MILWAUKEE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected January 14, 2026 · passed with conditions
Failed 3 of 7 inspections. 4 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
3 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
15
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Jun 2022
INSPECTION HISTORY
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
2-101.11 NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (HUMMUS VEGGIE WRAPS, SMOOTHIES, ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.114---INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 72026FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JAN 7
2026
FAILED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN QUESADILLAS, SMOOTHIES ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
NO QUATS CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO MONITOR SANITIZING AT THE THREE (3) COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE CEILING VENTILATION COVERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
DEC 272024FAILED2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
DEC 27
2024
FAILED
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE UPON ARRIVAL WHILE TCS FOODS WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING QUAT SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
AUG 72023PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
AUG 7
2023
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER OF SUGAR NOT LABELED. INSTURCTED TO LABEL ALL BULK INGREDIENTS WITH COMMON NAME.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS AND IN THE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DUST ON VENTS IN TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
show all 7 inspections →
JUN 82022FAILED2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 8
2022
FAILED
2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS (SMOOTHIES, WRAPS, SALADS) DURING INSPECTION. PRESENTED SERVSAFE CERT WITH 11/08/2021 EXAM DATE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →