Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Sazon Cubano 2.0

Name: Sazon Cubano 2.0
Address: 2252 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL

2252 N Western Ave

Last inspected Feb 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 23, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ALL HEAVY COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD RESIDUE FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOLING UNITS

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 HANDSINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH LEAK FROM PIPE UNDERNEATH SINK BASIN AND ON TO PREP FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.14 OBSERVED VENTILATION HOODS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP, AND DUST DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

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

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 NOTED ONE OUT OF FOUR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDERS WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFICATE HOLDERS AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 23, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 5, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ALL HEAVY COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD RESIDUE FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOLING UNITS.

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 HANDSINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH LEAK FROM PIPE UNDERNEATH SINK BASIN AND ON TO PREP FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.14 OBSERVED VENTILATION HOODS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP, AND DUST DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

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

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 5, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 28, 2026

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN BASMENT PREP INOPERABLE, NOT MEETING SANITIZING REQUIREMENTS INTRUCTED TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION. NOTED EQUIPMENT NOT IN USE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SET UP WITH REQUIRED SANITIZING STRENGTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION.

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 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SHRIMP IMPROPERLY THAWING ON PREP TABLE ON 1ST FLOOR. NOTED TEMP OF SAID FOOD BELOW 41F AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER REFRIGERATION OR UNDER CONTINUOUS RUNNING WATER.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 35 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON TOP OF CHEST FREEZER IN BASMENT PREP AREA AS WELL AS ALONGSIDE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND TABLE WHERE EQUIPMENT IS STORED. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE, REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ALL HEAVY COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD RESIDUE FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOLING UNITS.

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 HANDSINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH LEAK FROM PIPE UNDERNEATH SINK BASIN AND ON TO PREP FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VENTILATION HOODS LOCATED IN 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP, AND DUST DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

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

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED ONE OUT OF FOUR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDERS WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFICATE HOLDERS AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 28, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Apr 14, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FOUND EXHAUST HOOD FILTERS AT LOWER LEVEL NOT CLEAN AND ROTTEN RESTROOM DOOR BOTTOM AT LOWER LEVEL. MUST CLEAN/ REPAIR.

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

FOUND WALL WITH LARGE HOLE BELOW DISHMACHINE.MUST COVER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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, Apr 14, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Nov 19, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS WITH NO LABELS.(FLOUR, SUGAR,ETC.)MUST 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 30, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 30, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 22, 2024

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO REMINDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS INSIDE MENU FOR FOOD BEING SOLD UNDERCOOKED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 22, 2024 · Original Source