Skip to content
Loading map…

TROPICAL SMOOOTHIE CAFE

1509 N MILWAUKEE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TROPICAL SMOOOTHIE CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on January 14, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 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: Cleaning and sanitizing 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 7, 2026. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 7, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on January 14, 2026. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 14, 2026. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • 2-101.11 NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (HUMMUS VEGGIE WRAPS, SMOOTHIES, ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114---INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN QUESADILLAS, SMOOTHIES ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO QUATS CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO MONITOR SANITIZING AT THE THREE (3) COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE CEILING VENTILATION COVERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE UPON ARRIVAL WHILE TCS FOODS WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING QUAT SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER OF SUGAR NOT LABELED. INSTURCTED TO LABEL ALL BULK INGREDIENTS WITH COMMON NAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS AND IN THE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DUST ON VENTS IN TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. License

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS (SMOOTHIES, WRAPS, SALADS) DURING INSPECTION. PRESENTED SERVSAFE CERT WITH 11/08/2021 EXAM DATE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 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.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website