Tovala
Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025
90
Score
Tovala has been inspected eight times since 2018. Tovala was last inspected on Sep 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Tovala on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 17, 2025
Reinspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: 8-103.12(B) OUT PF 08/26/2025 OBSERVED FACILITY WITH HACCP PLAN APPROVAL WITHOUT PROOF OF PROCEDURES OF SPECIAL PROCESS (MAP) PREFORMED (BEEF, PASTA, SAUCES) DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
29
90
Aug 19, 2025
Routine
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN USE HIGH DISH MACHINE NOT REACHING THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE FOR SANITIZING. TEMPERATURE ONLY REACHED 123 DEGREES F FOR WASH CYCLE, AND FINAL RINSE REACHED 115 DEGREES F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE AND REPAIR. ECOLAB TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ONSITE AT THE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE IS NOW REACHING SANITIZING TEMPERATURE AT 181 DEGREES F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY TO EAT TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED IN WALK IN COOLER FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT PROPER DATE LABELING. INTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITH HACCP PLAN APPROVAL WITHOUT PROOF OF PROCEDURES OF SPECIAL PROCESS (MAP) PREFORMED (BEEF, PASTA, SAUCES) DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
29
74
Aug 6, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: FACILITY USES HIGH TEMPERATURE SANITIZING DISH MACHINE AND USES TEMPERATURE MEASURING IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR. NOTED BROKEN TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE/GAUGE FOR THE RINSE CYCLE, NOT MOVING PAST "ZERO" MARK. AN ECOLAB TECHNICIAN WAS BROUGHT IMMEDIATELY ON-SITE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. HE ASSESSED THAT FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION, HE WOULD NEED TO ORDER THE PART, AND IN THE INTERIM, HE CONVERTED THE TEMP MACHINE TO A LAW TEMP ONE AND ADDED CHLORINE AS A SANITIZER. TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE. SUGGESTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO USE DISHWASHER PLATE THERMOMETER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER REACHES APPROPRIATE FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 160.0F. THE TEST STRIPS THE FACILITY USES SHOWED THAT THE DISHWASHER HAS REACHED THE APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE WHILE THE FINAL RINSE GAUGE SHOWED ONLY 150.0 F. THE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
90
Jun 8, 2023
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS OR SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. MANAGER ADDED TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
10
90
Aug 30, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 18, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE AT THE PLATE FOR A HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOORING NEAR LARGE KETTLES,DAMAGED WALLS IN EAST AREA OF WAREHOUSE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN WALK IN FREEZER.
56
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2" GAP IN DOCK DOOR #2 DOOR BRUSH.MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
38
78
Dec 4, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN BOTH WOMEN RESTROOMS ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A COVERED RECEPTACLE IN BOTH WOMEN RESTROOMS ON PREMISE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
90
Oct 31, 2018
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Observed pans, shelves, and other kitchen equipment in main area with porous walls with drywall exposed, with heavy dust build up. Must clean or seal walls to make non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable or relocate all dry storage and/or kitchen equipment. Observed several holes in walls in dock area. Must seal to prevent pest entry. Must maintain same.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed approximately 1 inch opening along bottom of loading dock door # 4 (from the right). All doors must be tight fitting to prevent pest entry. Must correct and maintain same.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tovala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tovala on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tovala?
Across the inspection record, “compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tovala.
Has Tovala's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tovala have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tovala 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 Tovala inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tovala is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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