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DULCE CAFE CUBANO LLC

2824 W 55TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

DULCE CAFE CUBANO LLC has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 20, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 9, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 31, 2026. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 October 16, 2025. 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 2 times on December 20, 2022. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 August 31, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on December 13, 2023. For example: TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13: AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED ANIMAL DERIVED FOOD THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER WITH NO ASTERISK IDENTIFYING IT AS SUCH. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOOD IS SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOOD IS SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE RODENT ACTIVITY, REMOVE MOUSE DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 8/31/2026. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO LEFT SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK . INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LEFT SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT AND PREP TABLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE IN ICE MACHINE INSTALLED TO THE LEFT OF HANDWASHING SINK.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD LINER ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE NEXT TO STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD SHELF LINER FROM PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED NONFOOD SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN UTILITY ROOM(TRAMPOLINE AND CAMPING EQUIPMENT). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN UTILITY ROOM.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH ACCUMULATION OF GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE ON INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAR ICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN UTILITY ROOM AREA (CHAIRS, CONTAINERS). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AREA ACCESSIBLE.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN SAME AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (EGGS, CHICKEN, ETC), NOR VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED/ON SITE. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN SAME. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 28. TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
      • EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED (TOOTHPASTE, MEDICINE, ETC). ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS TO BE STORED IN A DESIGNATED AREA ONLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • LARGE COUCH IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
  6. License

    0 infractions

  7. License

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENU BOARD OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS(I.E.G)EGGS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED NO OVEN ON SITE TO COOK FLAN THAT IS ON THE MENU.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TEMPERATURE TAKING OF TCS FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR HANDLE ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WET MOPS STORED INSIDE OF MOPSINK BASIN MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING TO HANG UP WET MOPS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GLASS ON WINDOWS IN FRONT DINING AREA AND FURNANCE ROOM.

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