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PUPUSERIA CAFE

6533 W 63RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PUPUSERIA CAFE has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 9, 2016. The most recent inspection, on July 10, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

1 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 10, 2022. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 April 27, 2023. 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 once on March 19, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 August 10, 2022. 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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED LOOSE DAMAGED GASKET ON 2-DOOR COLD HOLD UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGE TO WALL IN REAR AREA NEAR RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AREA TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN POOR REPAIR, OPENING ON PANEL. INSTD TO REPAIR SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ON BATHROOM SINK CABINET. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WALL IN UTILITY ROOM TO HAVE HOLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP HANDLE LAYING ON ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANDLE UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • 3 LARGE DEEP TIGHTLY COVERED CONTAINERS OF COLESLAW (CONTAINS SHREDDED CABBAGE AND PREPARED YESTERDAY) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 59.0F-64.0F. INSTD TO MAINTAIN AT 41F OR BELOW. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY 7-38-005. COLESLAW DISCARDED AND DENATURED. APPROX 30LBS $ 100 VALUE
    • 28. TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
      • EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STOED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • MPROPER COOLING OF PREPARED COLESLAW. INSTD TO PROPERLY COOL: SUCH AS SHALLOW CONTAINRES, (1) ARRANGE IN EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE CONTAINER WALLS; AND (2) LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PERIOD TO FAICLITATE HEAT TRANSFER FROM THE SURFACE OF THE FOOD
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • IMPROPER THAWING OF STEAK IN BASIN OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT ANY WATER. INSTD TO THAW PROPERLY (UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION)
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP KIT OR VOMIT DIAHARREA POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN WASHROOM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • MISSING EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMTIING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIRITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINK IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED CONTAINER OF COOKED STEAK AT 64.5F IN REACH IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED LARGE 10 GALLON CONTAINER OF COLESLAW AT 74.5F (CONTAINING CUT CABBAGE ( CUT LEAFY GREEN), CARROT, JALAPENO) PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED UNREFRIGERATED. PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME, APPROX 30LBS, 100$ VALUE. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MGR STATES BOTH MADE YESTERDAY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • VARIETY OF FOOD NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED STEAK, COOKED CHICKEN, ETC.) REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT TCS FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE TO MONITOR COLD AND HOT TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • IMPROPER CONTAINERS BEING USED FOR STORAGE, REUSING BLACK MILK CRATE TYPE FOR STORAGE. INSTD TO USE PROPER CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED, IE PORK 212*F ON STOVE TOP. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012a.
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS AT THIS TIME, SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010b.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR MICROWAVE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.(TWO EMPLOYEES).
  9. License

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • UNDENEATH ALL DOOR HANDLES OF COOLERS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • STOCK ON FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES.
  10. License

    0 infractions

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