Tropicuba Restaurant Inc.

Chicago Health Dept

3000 W LYNDALE ST · LOGAN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2024.

8 inspections on record since 2021 · Last inspected Nov 2024.

Last inspected Nov 2024. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

NOV 2024

Inspection history

NOV 20

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS IN THE KITCHEN AREA 1-DOOR PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING: PORK AT 50.1F, HAM AT 46.2F, BEEF AT 48.6F, CHICKEN AT 47.5F INSIDE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS FOUND OUT OF TEMPERATURE AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD AT 41.0F OR BELOW FOR COLD-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $100.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DISCARDED ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE FOOD ITEMS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED 1-DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN AREA TO BE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING TCS FOOD ITEMS, INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46.2F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS FROM COOLER AND CEASE USE OF COOLER UNTIL REPAIRED OR REPLACED. TAGGED EQUIPMENT ON-SITE WITH TAG INSTRUCTING TO CONTACT CDPH WHEN EQUIPMENT IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER PROVIDED IN FOOD PREP COOLERS THROUGHOUT FRONT KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD IN PLASTIC AND METAL FOOD CONTAINERS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD CONTAINERS SUCH THAT FOOD IS STORED AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED BUTCHERS KNIFE WITH HANDLE CRACKED IN HALF AND IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HANDLE OR DISCARD KNIFE AND REPLACE WITH UTENSIL THAT IS IN GOOD REPAIR AND EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF POTATO CUTTER IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA SEVERELY SOILED AND RUSTED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND REPLACE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NO LONGER EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 18

2023

PASS 1 violation

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13--OBSERVED ONE MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

AUG 16

2023

FAIL 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(CHICKEN, STEAK). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LARGE LEAK AT PIPE BELOW HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING ISSUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED ONE MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

MAY 20

2022

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 OBSERVED TEXTURED DRYWALL IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WHICH IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE ON ALL WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

MAY 13

2022

FAIL 12 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT THE REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). SEE VIOLATION #10 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING CABINET. OBSERVED EMPANADAS AT 114.1F INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING CABINET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN HOT FOODS ABOVE 135F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDNG TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED PORK AT 59F, COOKED RICE AT 59F, BEEF AT 50.4F, BLACK BEANS AT 48.7F, CHEESE AT 48.2F, HAM AT 48.2F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #21 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THEM TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE A STATEMENT BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT THAT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED THE AIR INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 56.3F. THE WALK-IN COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED RICE AND PORK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE WALK-IN COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED COOKED RICE AND BEANS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS LINING THE STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS. ALSO OBSERVED RAW VEGETABLES STORED IN A CARDBOARD BOX IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

DETAIL CLEAN THE GRILL, GREASE TRAP, MICROWAVE, FREEZER, PREP TABLES, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYER, MEAT SLICER, STEAM TABLE AND TOP OF OVEN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED A LEAK UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

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MAY 4

2021

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FRONT PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT BULB COVERS END CAPS MISSING. MUST PROVIDE END CAPS FOR SAID CEILING LIGHT BULBS COVERS.

APR 27

2021

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED AT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR ALONG CORNERS AND WALLS AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FRONT PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT BULB COVERS END CAPS MISSING. MUST PROVIDE END CAPS FOR SAID CEILING LIGHT BULBS COVERS.

Minor Sanitation

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2473184 DATED ON 01/27/21 NOT CORRECTED-#55 OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CORRECT SAID PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.

JAN 27

2021

PASS 3 violations

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET ON THE HOT WATER HANDLE OF THE FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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