SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE.

BEAT. 40/100

4874 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected June 17, 2025 · passed

Failed 3 of 7 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
7
4 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
22
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Apr 2022

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 17
2025
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

: 4-602.13-- NOTED DIRTY, BLACKENED WASHBOWL IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM---NOTED DIRTY SHELVING INSIDE THE METAL CABINET UNDER THE FRONT PREP ICE BIN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11--- NOTED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING ON THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE FRONT PREP ICE BIN. MUST REPLACE.-----DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN NOTED UNDER THE FRONT PREP HAND AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINKS.-----DIRTY FLOORS UNDER THE REAR DRY STORAGE, AROUND/UNDER THE ICE MACHINE, UNDER THE FRONT PREP METAL CABINETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----MISSING WALL PANEL AND CEILING TILE ABOVE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.

JUN 9
2025
FAILED
9 violations4 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE VERIFIED BY ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND MAKE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW DURING HEALTH INSPECTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK OR SERVICE REPORT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW DURING THE INSPECTION. LAST LEGIBLE REPORT ON PREMISES DATED 6-26-21. MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH A CURRENT SERVICE REPORT AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION INCLUDING A CURRENT STATE OF ILLINOIS PEST CONTROL CO. LICENSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

EMPLOYEE NOTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

LID OF THE BULK SUGAR CONTAINER DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

NOTED DIRTY, BLACKENED WASHBOWLS IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND THE HAND SINK AT THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA.----NOTED DIRTY SHELVING INSIDE THE METAL CABINET UNDER THE FRONT PREP ICE BIN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING ON THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE FRONT PREP ICE BIN. MUST REPLACE.-----DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN NOTED UNDER THE FRONT PREP HAND AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINKS.-----DIRTY FLOORS UNDER THE REAR DRY STORAGE, AROUND/UNDER THE ICE MACHINE, UNDER THE FRONT PREP METAL CABINETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----MISSING WALL PANEL AND CEILING TILE ABOVE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

APR 25
2024
PASSED
0 violations
APR 18
2024
FAILED
5 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES AND TCS FOODS (CUT FRUIT SMOOTHIES,CHICKEN/PESTO SANDWICHES 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.

SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS,DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE FRONT SMOOTHIE FOOD PREP AREA AND IN THE CUSTOMER DINING ROOM AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A),CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH SPILLED DEBRIS UNDERNEATH THE ICE MAKER.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND INSIDE THE WASHROOMS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.

JUN 29
2023
PASSED
0 violations
show all 7 inspections →
JUN 27
2023
FAILED
2 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

CRITICALPest Activity
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIMEFRAME. REPORT #2554087 DATED APRIL 8 2022 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO #38 RODENT PROOF DOOR MIDDLE OF FRONT/ EXIT DOOR AND #55 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP IN MIDDLE OF FRONT DOOR/EXIT DOOR; OBSERVED REAR PREP AND FRONT PREP FLOOR DRAINS WITH HEAVY SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ADDRESS ALL PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

APR 8
2022
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINOROther
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF FLOOR DRAIN IN FRONT AND IN REAR PREP AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO RECAULK BETWEEN HANDSINK AND WALL WITH BLACK MOLDLIKE ACCUMULATION INFRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA.

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 →

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