Tropical Smooothie Cafe

1509 N Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60622

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged seven inspections at Tropical Smooothie Cafe, the earliest from 2022. Tropical Smooothie Cafe was last inspected on Jan 14, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

Across the inspection history, “city of chicago food service sanitation certificate” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.

Tropical Smooothie Cafe's latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 14, 2026

Reinspection

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: 2-101.11 NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (HUMMUS VEGGIE WRAPS, SMOOTHIES, ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: 6-501.114---INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

Jan 7, 2026

Complaint

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN QUESADILLAS, SMOOTHIES ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: NO QUATS CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO MONITOR SANITIZING AT THE THREE (3) COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE CEILING VENTILATION COVERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.

Jan 3, 2025

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Dec 27, 2024

Routine

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE UPON ARRIVAL WHILE TCS FOODS WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING QUAT SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Aug 7, 2023

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER OF SUGAR NOT LABELED. INSTURCTED TO LABEL ALL BULK INGREDIENTS WITH COMMON NAME.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS AND IN THE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DUST ON VENTS IN TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Jul 1, 2022

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Jun 8, 2022

License

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS (SMOOTHIES, WRAPS, SALADS) DURING INSPECTION. PRESENTED SERVSAFE CERT WITH 11/08/2021 EXAM DATE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tropical Smooothie Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tropical Smooothie Cafe on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tropical Smooothie Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “city of chicago food service sanitation certificate” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tropical Smooothie Cafe.

Has Tropical Smooothie Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tropical Smooothie Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tropical Smooothie 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 Tropical Smooothie Cafe inspected?

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

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Tropical Smoothies Cafe

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

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