TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE.

Chicago Health Dept

3631 N WESTERN AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Feb 2026), 3 critical violations noted.

8 inspections on record since 2022 · Last inspected Feb 2026 · 3 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

FEB 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 19

2026

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

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

Critical Documentation & Training

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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.

Minor Facility Condition

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

Minor Documentation & Training

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 24

2025

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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 29

2024

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 21

2024

FAIL 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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 15

2023

PASS 6 violations

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

4-204.112(B) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 13

2023

FAIL 12 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

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

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Critical Documentation & Training

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Minor Food Temperature

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.

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Documentation & Training

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 22

2022

PASS 2 violations

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-304.11--OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

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 15

2022

FAIL 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Food Temperature

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).

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

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.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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