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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cocula Restaurant

2801 W Cermak Rd

Last inspected Mar 31, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

Mar 31, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-602.13 OBSERVED FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 2-COMPARTMENT AND UTILITY SINKS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL SINKS.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11 OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 31, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 24, 2026

Fail

10 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT IN BAR AREA, ON FLOOR BETWEEN EQUIPMENT, JUICER, AND BOTTOM OF HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN TAQUERIA AND PREP AREA, ON BOTTOM OF SHELVES AND FRYER CABINETS IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED OVER 50 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER STAIRWAY ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN TAQUERIA AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS ON COOLER DOORS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 2-COMPARTMENT AND UTILITY SINKS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL SINKS.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INOPERABLE VENTILATION FAN IN STAFF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR VENTILATION FAN IN STAFF WASHROOM.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 24, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 6, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12 FLOORS AND WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THROGHT OUT PREP AREAS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS, AND/OR GREASE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 26, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 25 MICE DROPPINGS INSIDE A UNUSED STORAGE CADINET IN THE FRONT PREP STATION, ALSO NOTED 15 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTTED ON THE FLOOR IN THE CORNER SAME AREA. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS AND DETAIL CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION #7-38-020(A).

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA, SHELVING UNDERNEATH THE GRILLS.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A LEAKY PIPE UNDER THE HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS AND WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THROGHT OUT PREP AREAS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE. ALSO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

FLITERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS CLEANING.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 14, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLERS OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR THE HAND SINK DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 14, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 15, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 15, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 8, 2023

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT HANDWASH SINK IN REAR PREP AREA, CURRENTLY 70F. INSTD TO PROVIDE 100F MINIMUM AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY. INSTD TO UTILIZE HANDWASH SINK IN OTHER PREP AREA UNTIL REPAIRED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

MISSING DISCLOSURE FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE ON THE MENU WHICH FOODS (EGGS, STEAK, OYSTERS, CEVICHE) ARE RAW AND/OR CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED/COOKED TO ORDER WITH AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS; AND THEN BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOTNOTE THAT STATES "THESE ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED". PROVIDE THIS FOOTNOTE ABOVE THE REMINDER STATEMENT SUCH AS "Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions" PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

MISSING COVER ON TRASH RECEPTACLE IN WOMENS AND EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 8, 2023 · Original Source

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