Pupuseria Cafe
Last inspected: Sep 11, 2025
95
Score
Across the available record, Pupuseria Cafe has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2017. Pupuseria Cafe was last inspected on Sep 11, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about six violations before that.
“Proper cooling methods used” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Pupuseria Cafe's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 11, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN POOR REPAIR, OPENING ON PANEL. INSTD TO REPAIR SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
47
95
Mar 19, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ON BATHROOM SINK CABINET. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALL IN UTILITY ROOM TO HAVE HOLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Apr 27, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP HANDLE LAYING ON ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANDLE UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION
45
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
78
Aug 10, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 3 LARGE DEEP TIGHTLY COVERED CONTAINERS OF COLESLAW (CONTAINS SHREDDED CABBAGE AND PREPARED YESTERDAY) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 59.0F-64.0F. INSTD TO MAINTAIN AT 41F OR BELOW. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY 7-38-005. COLESLAW DISCARDED AND DENATURED. APPROX 30LBS $ 100 VALUE
22
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STOED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
28
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: MPROPER COOLING OF PREPARED COLESLAW. INSTD TO PROPERLY COOL: SUCH AS SHALLOW CONTAINRES, (1) ARRANGE IN EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE CONTAINER WALLS; AND (2) LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PERIOD TO FAICLITATE HEAT TRANSFER FROM THE SURFACE OF THE FOOD
33
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: IMPROPER THAWING OF STEAK IN BASIN OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT ANY WATER. INSTD TO THAW PROPERLY (UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION)
35
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
53
70
Feb 4, 2021
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP KIT OR VOMIT DIAHARREA POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19
5
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN WASHROOM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
53
86
May 13, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINER OF COOKED STEAK AT 64.5F IN REACH IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED LARGE 10 GALLON CONTAINER OF COLESLAW AT 74.5F (CONTAINING CUT CABBAGE ( CUT LEAFY GREEN), CARROT, JALAPENO) PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED UNREFRIGERATED. PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME, APPROX 30LBS, 100$ VALUE. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MGR STATES BOTH MADE YESTERDAY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
22
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE TO MONITOR COLD AND HOT TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
36
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: VARIETY OF FOOD NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED STEAK, COOKED CHICKEN, ETC.) REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT TCS FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: MISSING EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMTIING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIRITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINK IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: IMPROPER CONTAINERS BEING USED FOR STORAGE, REUSING BLACK MILK CRATE TYPE FOR STORAGE. INSTD TO USE PROPER CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.
58
52
Feb 26, 2018
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED, IE PORK 212*F ON STOVE TOP. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012a.
21
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS AT THIS TIME, SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010b.
28
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR MICROWAVE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.(TWO EMPLOYEES).
45
82
Feb 8, 2017
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: UNDENEATH ALL DOOR HANDLES OF COOLERS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: STOCK ON FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES.
41
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pupuseria Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pupuseria Cafe on file is from Sep 11, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pupuseria Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “proper cooling methods used” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pupuseria Cafe.
Has Pupuseria Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pupuseria Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pupuseria Cafe 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 Pupuseria Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pupuseria Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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