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CYNTHIA'S GUMBO EXPRESS

2300 S THROOP ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · MOBILE FOOD

Inspection summary

CYNTHIA'S GUMBO EXPRESS has been inspected 13 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 16, 2019. The most recent inspection, on May 20, 2025, found no infractions.

5 of 13 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: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 21, 2023. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 15, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 June 23, 2023. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on July 8, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on April 23, 2019. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

13 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License

    0 infractions

  3. License

    1 infraction

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • FOUND INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION. NOTED ONLY 1 SMALL REFRIGERATOR ON FOOD TRUCK, SAID CANNOT MAINTAIN THE CAPACITY OF SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COOLER LARGE ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN SERVICE OR PROVIDE ANOTHER COOLER. ALSO NOTED TRAVEL CAMBROS ON FOOD TRUCK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE/ELECTRICAL HOT HOLDING UNIT TO MAINTAIN SERVICE. PRIORITY VIOLATION.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • WIPING CLOTHS WHEN NOT IN USE MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
  6. License

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN A PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(c)
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO DRAINBOARD FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  10. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
  11. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOUP KETTLES, HOT HOLDING UNITS AND MICROWAVE HELD IN PLACE BY NYLON STRAPS. INSTRUCTED ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE SECURELY ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. MUST CORRECT.
  12. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL. MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HOT/COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR REHEATING OF TCS FOODS.PRIORITY VIOLATION.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON VEHICLE. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER TO ACCURATELY MEASURE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED NO LICENSE NUMBERS ON VEHICLE. MUST PROVIDE LICENSE NUMBER ON BOTH LATERAL SIDES OF VEHICLE AT LEAST 2 INCHES TALL.
  13. License

    0 infractions

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