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TROPICUBA RESTAURANT INC.

3000 W LYNDALE ST, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TROPICUBA RESTAURANT INC. has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 27, 2021. The most recent inspection, on July 23, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 9 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 Protecting food from contamination.

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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 20, 2024. 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 August 16, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 20, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 November 20, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 May 4, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS IN THE KITCHEN AREA 1-DOOR PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING: PORK AT 50.1F, HAM AT 46.2F, BEEF AT 48.6F, CHICKEN AT 47.5F INSIDE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS FOUND OUT OF TEMPERATURE AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD AT 41.0F OR BELOW FOR COLD-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $100.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DISCARDED ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE FOOD ITEMS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED 1-DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN AREA TO BE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING TCS FOOD ITEMS, INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46.2F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS FROM COOLER AND CEASE USE OF COOLER UNTIL REPAIRED OR REPLACED. TAGGED EQUIPMENT ON-SITE WITH TAG INSTRUCTING TO CONTACT CDPH WHEN EQUIPMENT IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER PROVIDED IN FOOD PREP COOLERS THROUGHOUT FRONT KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD IN PLASTIC AND METAL FOOD CONTAINERS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD CONTAINERS SUCH THAT FOOD IS STORED AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BUTCHERS KNIFE WITH HANDLE CRACKED IN HALF AND IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HANDLE OR DISCARD KNIFE AND REPLACE WITH UTENSIL THAT IS IN GOOD REPAIR AND EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF POTATO CUTTER IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA SEVERELY SOILED AND RUSTED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND REPLACE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NO LONGER EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13--OBSERVED ONE MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(CHICKEN, STEAK). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LARGE LEAK AT PIPE BELOW HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING ISSUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 OBSERVED TEXTURED DRYWALL IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WHICH IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE ON ALL WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
  6. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT THE REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). SEE VIOLATION #10 ABOVE FOR CITATION.
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING CABINET. OBSERVED EMPANADAS AT 114.1F INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING CABINET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN HOT FOODS ABOVE 135F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDNG TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED PORK AT 59F, COOKED RICE AT 59F, BEEF AT 50.4F, BLACK BEANS AT 48.7F, CHEESE AT 48.2F, HAM AT 48.2F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #21 ABOVE FOR CITATION.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THEM TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST INCLUDE A STATEMENT BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT THAT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED THE AIR INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 56.3F. THE WALK-IN COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED RICE AND PORK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE WALK-IN COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED COOKED RICE AND BEANS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS LINING THE STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS. ALSO OBSERVED RAW VEGETABLES STORED IN A CARDBOARD BOX IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE GRILL, GREASE TRAP, MICROWAVE, FREEZER, PREP TABLES, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYER, MEAT SLICER, STEAM TABLE AND TOP OF OVEN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
  7. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FRONT PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT BULB COVERS END CAPS MISSING. MUST PROVIDE END CAPS FOR SAID CEILING LIGHT BULBS COVERS.
  8. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED AT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR ALONG CORNERS AND WALLS AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FRONT PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT BULB COVERS END CAPS MISSING. MUST PROVIDE END CAPS FOR SAID CEILING LIGHT BULBS COVERS.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2473184 DATED ON 01/27/21 NOT CORRECTED-#55 OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CORRECT SAID PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.
  9. License

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET ON THE HOT WATER HANDLE OF THE FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.

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