La Tropicana
Last inspected: Jul 25, 2025
82
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at La Tropicana, the earliest from 2021. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 25, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited eight times.
La Tropicana scores about where you'd expect for a Chicago restaurant. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 25, 2025
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11: **C** Floors, Walls, and Ceilings- Cleanability OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN BAR, REAR PREP, REAR DINING ROOM AND TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-303.11: **C** Intensity- Lighting OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: **C** Food Handler Training (PA 100-0367 Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act) OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: **C** OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS TO OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
58
82
Jul 18, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK WITH REPORTS FROM 2/18/21 - 6/17/24; NO 2025 NOR 2021 SERVICE REPORTS. ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS MUST MAINTAIN A LOGBOOK WHICH SHALL BE KEPT FOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE TICKETS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY?S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH) HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C).
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.
1
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN BAR, REAR PREP, REAR DINING ROOM AND TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
58
61
Dec 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH A SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF BLACK/ PINK SUBSTANCE. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE. MANAGER WIPED DOWN ICE MACHINE DURING INSPECTION.
16
95
Nov 2, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER, TOP AND SIDES OF THE OVEN, GREASE TRAP AND DRAIN LINES LEADING TO THE GREASE TRAP BENEATH THE BAR, AND THE CHEST FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 6-501.18 CLEAN THE TOILET IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW VALID PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
86
Oct 26, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2568705 ON 12/19/22 NOT CORRECTED: 55 - REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELF BELOW THE MICROWAVE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER, TOP AND SIDES OF THE OVEN, GREASE TRAP AND DRAIN LINES LEADING TO THE GREASE TRAP BENEATH THE BAR, INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE, AND THE CHEST FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND THE BAR.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW VALID PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
78
Dec 19, 2022
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 DEFROST AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE 1 DOOR FREEZER.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.11 REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. REPAIR THE OPENING IN THE WALL BEHIND THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM.
55
86
Dec 5, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 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 THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MUST ALSO ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: DEFROST AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE 1 DOOR FREEZER.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. REPAIR THE OPENING IN THE WALL BEHIND THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM.
55
78
Sep 7, 2021
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT DOOR SWEEP AT SIDE EXIT/ENTRANCE DOUBLE DOORS. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOORS.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING STOPPERS (X2). INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STOPPERS FOR SAID SINK.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.
55
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Tropicana last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Tropicana on file is from Jul 25, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Tropicana?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at La Tropicana.
Has La Tropicana's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Tropicana have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Tropicana 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 La Tropicana inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Tropicana is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants