Dulce Cafe Cubano

2824 W 55Th St, Chicago, IL 60632

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Oct 16, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Dulce Cafe Cubano has five inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 16, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around three violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Dulce Cafe Cubano on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 16, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH ACCUMULATION OF GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Oct 24, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE ON INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAR ICE AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN UTILITY ROOM AREA (CHAIRS, CONTAINERS). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AREA ACCESSIBLE.

Dec 13, 2023

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: 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

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: LARGE COUCH IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN SAME AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used

Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED (TOOTHPASTE, MEDICINE, ETC). ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS TO BE STORED IN A DESIGNATED AREA ONLY.

Jan 11, 2023

License

No violations found.

100

Dec 20, 2022

License

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO OVEN ON SITE TO COOK FLAN THAT IS ON THE MENU.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TEMPERATURE TAKING OF TCS FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)

Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

Inspector notes: 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)

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR HANDLE ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOPS STORED INSIDE OF MOPSINK BASIN MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING TO HANG UP WET MOPS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GLASS ON WINDOWS IN FRONT DINING AREA AND FURNANCE ROOM.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dulce Cafe Cubano last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dulce Cafe Cubano on file is from Oct 16, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dulce Cafe Cubano?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Dulce Cafe Cubano.

Has Dulce Cafe Cubano's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Dulce Cafe Cubano have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Dulce Cafe Cubano means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Dulce Cafe Cubano inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Dulce Cafe Cubano is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

La Esperanza Del Manana

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Taqueria 4 Hermanos Corp.

2820 W 55Th St

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago