Sazon Cubano
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2025
78
Score
Sazon Cubano appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2018. Sazon Cubano was last inspected on Jan 30, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around seven violations each, up from closer to four violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2025
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
78
Jan 23, 2025
Routine
5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN PREP AND MEN WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES. (CORRECTED ON SITE-MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP BAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10-20 RODENT DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
47
Jan 4, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP ON UNIT 3 DOOR FREEZER IN REAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEASONINGS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
78
Mar 14, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 1/12/2022, REPORT #2546408. #57-OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE. #58- OBSERVED MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 6 DEAD COCKROACHES IN CORNER OF REAR PREP AREA BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. EMPLOYEE THREW AWAY DEAD ROACHES ON SITE.
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING SANDWICH WITHOUT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR AN EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT TO KEEP HAIR OUT OF FOOD, UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT.
40
82
Jan 12, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE (WASTE CAN WITH LID) INSIDE WOMENS WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON VENTILATION FAN COVER IN WOMENS RESTROOM. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS,
58
82
Dec 1, 2020
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET LOOSE IN WOMEN'S RESTROOM. OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET (UNDER HOT WATER HANDLE) OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE HOLE IN CEILING OF LADIES RESTROOM. MUST REPAIR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT/DAMAGED WALL AROUND WASHBOWL SINK IN WOMEN'S RESTROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD FOR UNCOVERED LIGHTING OVER PREP AREA.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON VENTILATION FAN COVER IN CEILING OF MEN'S RESTROOM. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
56
82
Feb 25, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MENU BOARD FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2200989 ON 8/16/18: 58 - PA 100-0367: MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
57
70
Aug 16, 2018
License
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(A): NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-012(a) NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11: NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY AND KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11(A): MUST PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE, AND REMINDER. If an animal FOOD such as beef, EGGS, FISH, lamb, milk, pork, POULTRY, or shellfish is served or sold raw, undercooked, or without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens, either in READY-TO-EAT form or as an ingredient in another READY-TO-EAT FOOD, the LICENSE HOLDER shall inform CONSUMERS of the significantly increased RISK of consuming such FOODS by way of a DISCLOSURE and REMINDER, as specified in �� (B) and (C) of this section using brochures, deli case or menu advisories, label statements, table tents, placards, or other effective written means. (B) DISCLOSURE shall include: (1) description of the animal-derived FOODS, such as ?oysters on the half shell (raw oysters),? ?raw-EGG Caesar salad,? and ?hamburgers (can be cooked to order)?; or (2) Identification of the animal-derived FOODS by asterisking them to a footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked, or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients. (C) REMINDER shall include asterisking the animal-derived FOODS requiring DISCLOSURE to a footnote that states: (1) Regarding the safety of these items, written information is available upon request; (2) Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness; or (3) Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
25
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 6-202.14: MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DOOR FOR THE TOILET ROOMS.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367: MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS.
58
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sazon Cubano last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sazon Cubano on file is from Jan 30, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sazon Cubano?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sazon Cubano.
Has Sazon Cubano's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Sazon Cubano have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sazon 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 Sazon Cubano inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sazon Cubano is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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