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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

3631 N Western Ave

Last inspected Feb 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

4 inspections

Canvass

Feb 19, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

8 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

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

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
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

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

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
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

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.

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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

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

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF CABINETS UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

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.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

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

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
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

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.

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 19, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 24, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 24, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 29, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 29, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 21, 2024

Fail

1 recorded violation

notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

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

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 21, 2024 · Original Source

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