FEB 19
2026
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE.
BEAT. 44/100
3631 N WESTERN AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO
Last inspected February 19, 2026 · passed with conditions
Failed 3 of 8 inspections. 9 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
8
4 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
35
includes 9 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Jun 2022
INSPECTION HISTORY
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, TURKEY, SANDWICHES, WRAPS, SMOOTHIES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT THE FRONT AND REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHINGSINKSLOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS. NSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND PAPER TOWELSAT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED HAND PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF CABINETS UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND THROUGHTOUT REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
FEB 242025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
FEB 24
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.
MAR 212024FAILED1 violationDETAILS
MAR 21
2024
FAILED
1 violationDETAILS
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 6/13/23 INSPECTION # 2577387 #47 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, 2 PREP SINKS, 2 HAND SINKS, INTERIOR OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS. #49 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH THE ICE BIN IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. #55 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT( FRONT/ REAR PREP AREA, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR, AND IN DINING AREA, INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER FLOORS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090
JUN 152023PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
JUN 15
2023
PASSED
6 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
4-204.112(B) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
3-302.12 INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-501.12 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GREEN STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH HEAVY DEEP SEAMS IN REAR PREP AREA.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-101.19 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, (2) PREP SINKS (2) HANDSINKS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-602.13 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT PREP AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT (FRONT/REAR PREP, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR AND IN DINING AREA) INCLUDING WALK-IN COOLER FLOORS.
show all 8 inspections →
JUN 132023FAILED12 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 13
2023
FAILED
12 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, TURKEY, SANDWICHES, WRAPS, SMOOTHIES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
FOUND HANDWASHING SINK INFRONT PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. INOPERABLE, NO HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TEMPORARILY USE THE HANDSINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING PROCEDURE IN FROZEN BAGS OF COOKED CHICKEN) IN A PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, THAWING MUST OCCUR UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR LESS OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER OR THAWED IN A MICROWAVE OVEN AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO CONVENTIONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH NO INTERRUPTION IN THE PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, (2) PREP SINKS (2) HANDSINKS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GREEN STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH HEAVY DEEP SEAMS IN REAR PREP AREA.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT PREP AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT (FRONT/REAR PREP, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR AND IN DINING AREA) INCLUDING WALK-IN COOLER FLOORS.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATON NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2559650 ISSUED ON 06-22-2022 #58 - ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
JUN 222022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUN 22
2022
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
6-304.11--OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
2-102.13--ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE
JUN 152022FAILED5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 15
2022
FAILED
5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDSINKS IN PREPS/DISHWASHING AREA. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM (84.5 F-86.0 F).INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT HANDWASHING SINKS WATER TEMPERATURE MUST BE PROVIDED OF AT LEAST 100 F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
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 →