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TOVALA

815 W PERSHING RD, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TOVALA has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 25, 2018. The most recent inspection, on August 27, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests 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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 19, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 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 August 19, 2025. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 once on June 8, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2021. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • 8-103.12(B) OUT PF 08/26/2025 OBSERVED FACILITY WITH HACCP PLAN APPROVAL WITHOUT PROOF OF PROCEDURES OF SPECIAL PROCESS (MAP) PREFORMED (BEEF, PASTA, SAUCES) DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED IN USE HIGH DISH MACHINE NOT REACHING THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE FOR SANITIZING. TEMPERATURE ONLY REACHED 123 DEGREES F FOR WASH CYCLE, AND FINAL RINSE REACHED 115 DEGREES F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE AND REPAIR. ECOLAB TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ONSITE AT THE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE IS NOW REACHING SANITIZING TEMPERATURE AT 181 DEGREES F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED READY TO EAT TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED IN WALK IN COOLER FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT PROPER DATE LABELING. INTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITH HACCP PLAN APPROVAL WITHOUT PROOF OF PROCEDURES OF SPECIAL PROCESS (MAP) PREFORMED (BEEF, PASTA, SAUCES) DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • FACILITY USES HIGH TEMPERATURE SANITIZING DISH MACHINE AND USES TEMPERATURE MEASURING IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR. NOTED BROKEN TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE/GAUGE FOR THE RINSE CYCLE, NOT MOVING PAST "ZERO" MARK. AN ECOLAB TECHNICIAN WAS BROUGHT IMMEDIATELY ON-SITE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. HE ASSESSED THAT FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION, HE WOULD NEED TO ORDER THE PART, AND IN THE INTERIM, HE CONVERTED THE TEMP MACHINE TO A LAW TEMP ONE AND ADDED CHLORINE AS A SANITIZER. TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE. SUGGESTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO USE DISHWASHER PLATE THERMOMETER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER REACHES APPROPRIATE FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 160.0F. THE TEST STRIPS THE FACILITY USES SHOWED THAT THE DISHWASHER HAS REACHED THE APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE WHILE THE FINAL RINSE GAUGE SHOWED ONLY 150.0 F. THE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS OR SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. MANAGER ADDED TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2" GAP IN DOCK DOOR #2 DOOR BRUSH.MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE AT THE PLATE FOR A HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOORING NEAR LARGE KETTLES,DAMAGED WALLS IN EAST AREA OF WAREHOUSE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN WALK IN FREEZER.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN BOTH WOMEN RESTROOMS ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A COVERED RECEPTACLE IN BOTH WOMEN RESTROOMS ON PREMISE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
  9. License

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Observed approximately 1 inch opening along bottom of loading dock door # 4 (from the right). All doors must be tight fitting to prevent pest entry. Must correct and maintain same.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Observed pans, shelves, and other kitchen equipment in main area with porous walls with drywall exposed, with heavy dust build up. Must clean or seal walls to make non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable or relocate all dry storage and/or kitchen equipment. Observed several holes in walls in dock area. Must seal to prevent pest entry. Must maintain same.
  10. License

    0 infractions

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