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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Galapagos Cafe

3800 W Lawrence Ave

Last inspected Aug 13, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

2 inspections

Canvass

Aug 13, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 20Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING COOKED TCS FOODS BEING IMPROPERLY COOLED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. EIGHT 5LB BAGS OF COOKED RICE PILED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AT AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 49.2F. ALSO NOTED COOKED CHICKEN IN BROTH IN A DEEP, LARGE COVERED POT AT 46.5F AND A LARGE, DEEP COVERED POT OF CHICKEN BROTH AT 75.2F. DATE LABELS INDICATED FOODS WERE PREPARED TODAY. REVIEWED PROPER COOLING METHODS FOR TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RICE AND QUICK CHILL IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. ICE BATHS WERE MADE FOR THE CHICKEN CONTAINERS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #21 FOR CITATION.

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 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED APPROXIMATELY 5 LBS COOKED CHICKEN IN SAUCE ON THE UNLIT STOVE TOP BEING HELD AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 96.6F. MANAGER STATED THE FOOD WAS MAS IN THE MORNING. ALL DISCARDED. REVIEWED REQUIRED TEMPERATURES FOR HOT HOLDING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT.

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

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP AS GUARD/COVERING FOR BOTH MICROWAVE OVENS.----MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM AND AT THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE.----RAW WOOD AS REPAIR ON THE FLOOR THRESHOLD FROM THE COOKS LINE TO THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. MUST PAINT/SEAL TO BE NON-ABSORBENT.

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, Aug 13, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 8, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE STORAGE SHELFS UNDERNEATH THE KITCHEN PREP TABLES.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES 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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR EMPLOYEE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 8, 2024 · Original Source

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