Canvass Re-Inspection
Mar 17, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 17, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Tropicuba Cafe
5606 W Irving Park Rd
Last inspected Mar 17, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsCanvass
Mar 10, 2026
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WATER FILTER ATTACHED TO HAND WASHING SINK FAUCET IN FRONT COFFEE AREA. MUST REMOVE.
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 problemsnotedCode 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 6-3-2025, REPORT #2618473. #49- 4-601.11//NOTED HEAVY GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN AND GREASE DEPOSITS IN COMPARTMENTS UNDERNEATH FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55--6-201.11//NOTED FLOORS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG THE WALLS IN KITCHEN, UNDER DISHROOM/KITCHEN HANDSINK, ALONG THE WALLS IN THE DISH ROOM, UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BEHIND/UNDERNEATH REAR PREP TABLES ARE NOT CLEAN. HEAVY GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS TRAPPED IN BASEBOARDS THAT ARE DETACHED FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 10, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jun 3, 2025
Pass
4 recorded violations
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
3-304.14// NOTED WIPING CLOTH STORED ON PREP COOLER, CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROPER SANITIZING BUCKET WITH PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-501.12// NOTED STAINED AND DEEPLY CUTTING BOARDS ON BOTH PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE, OR REPLACE 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-601.11//NOTED HEAVY GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN AND GREASE DEPOSITS IN COMPARTMENTS UNDERNEATH FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-201.11//NOTED FLOORS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG THE WALLS IN KITCHEN, UNDER DISHROOM/KITCHEN HANDSINK, ALONG THE WALLS IN THE DISH ROOM, UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BEHIND/UNDERNEATH REAR PREP TABLES ARE NOT CLEAN. HEAVY GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS TRAPPED IN BASEBOARDS THAT ARE DETACHED FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND SANITIZE 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 3, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
May 19, 2025
Fail
7 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER: GANDUNES (RICE) 46.8 F, & 56.7 F, GROUND BEEF 48.7 F, MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 22 LBS VALUED AT $200.00. 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 temperaturenotedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS DESSERTS: FLAN AND TRES LECHES CAKE IN LOBBY GRAB & GO COOLER NOT PROPERLY LABELED & DATE MARKED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY, NET WEIGHT, INGREDIENTS, AND MAJOR ALLERGENS LISTED, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE MADE AND PACKAGED. PIC DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 7 LBS, VALUED AT $100 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS UNDER KITCHEN/ DISHROOM HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS TO MONITOR NEW ACTIVITY PROPERLY. 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 insectsnotedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED WIPING CLOTH STORED ON PREP COOLER, CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROPER SANITIZING BUCKET WITH PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED STAINED AND DEEPLY CUTTING BOARDS ON BOTH PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND RESTORE TO A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE, OR REPLACE 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED HEAVY GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN AND GREASE DEPOSITS IN COMPARTMENTS UNDERNEATH FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED FLOORS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG THE WALLS IN KITCHEN, UNDER DISHROOM/KITCHEN HANDSINK, ALONG THE WALLS IN THE DISH ROOM, UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BEHIND/UNDERNEATH REAR PREP TABLES ARE NOT CLEAN. HEAVY GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS TRAPPED IN BASEBOARDS THAT ARE DETACHED FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND SANITIZE 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 19, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Aug 29, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 29, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 22, 2024
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 8Handwashing
Official wording
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED COOK WEARING GLOVES, TOUCHED SOILED WIPING CLOTH THEN IMMEDIATELY TOUCHED READY TO EAT PASTELITO WITH GROUND BEEF. AFTERWARDS COOK PUT PASTELITO WITH GROUND BEEF INTO TO GO CONTAINER AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WAS HANDLING PLAINTAINS AND PUT INTO FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AND CHANGE GLOVES AFTER CONTAMINATING HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-010. 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 problemsnotedCode 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 6/8/2023, REPORT #2576967. #37--OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN THE PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DESSERTS WITH COMMON NAME, NAME OF MANUFACTURER AND ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, ETC. #38-OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR WITH SMALL OPENING AT BASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL REAR EXIT DOOR OPENING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. #41-OBSERVED WIPING CLOTH LAYING ON PREP TABLE. ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES. #47-OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET AT FRONT 2 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER. MUST REPLACE TORN GASKET. #47-OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP TABLE DEEPLY SCRATCHED AND STAINED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. #49--OBSERVED MICROWAVE WITH FOOD SPILLAGE ON INTERIOR, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #53--OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTABLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE. #55-OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN WALKIN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 22, 2024 · Original Source