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COPACUBANA CAFE

5800 W IRVING PARK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60634 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

COPACUBANA CAFE has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 19, 2022. The most recent inspection, on May 23, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 29, 2024. For example: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 29, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 29, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on April 17, 2023. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on April 17, 2023. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 6. PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
      • NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED CARDBOARD BOXESAND FOIL PAPER USED TO LINE SHELVES INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES AND FOIL PAPER TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED UNFINISHED WOOD USED FOR SHELVING AT THE COFFEE STATION OF THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SHELVES WITH NON POROUS WOOD THAT ARE EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAINED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND COOLER WITH DIRT, DEBRI AND OLD FOOD PARTICLES.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12--BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE/ESPRESSO MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE NEWLY INSTALLED UTILITY MOP SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 4-202.18--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND TO MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (BEEF,RICE,BEANS ETC.) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES FOODS WHILE (TCS FOODS) ARE BEING HANDLED PREPARED AND SERVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK AT REAR PREP/DISHWASHNG AREA.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED (TCS FOODS) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN- COOLER.OBSERVED COOKED PORK WITH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 48.1 F-50.1 AND CHICKEN SOUP AT 48.7 F.ALL (TCS FOODS) MUST BE HELD AT PROPER HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0 F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 24#'S OF FOOD WORTH $250.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS.INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE/ESPRESSO MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2568814 DATED:12/21/2022 #51--FOUND NO MOP SINK WITH VACUUM BREAKER AT PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. #58--FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT NOTED VIOLATIONS AND MAINTAIN BY 4/24/2023. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.
  5. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO MOP SINK WITH VACUUM BREAKER AT PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
  6. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEANUP PROCEDURE WITH SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-038-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND NO HAND SINK AT PREPARATION AREA.PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38.030C.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • FOUND NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS AT PREMISES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO MOP SINK WITH VACUUM BREAKER AT PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

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