Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
58
Score
Across the available record, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 19, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around three violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “thermometers provided & accurate”, showing up four times.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, TURKEY, SANDWICHES, WRAPS, SMOOTHIES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT THE FRONT AND REAR EXPOSED HAND WASHINGSINKSLOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS. NSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND PAPER TOWELSAT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED HAND PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF CABINETS UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND THROUGHTOUT REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
58
Feb 24, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.
43
95
Mar 29, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 21, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 6/13/23 INSPECTION # 2577387 #47 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, 2 PREP SINKS, 2 HAND SINKS, INTERIOR OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS. #49 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH THE ICE BIN IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. #55 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT( FRONT/ REAR PREP AREA, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR, AND IN DINING AREA, INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER FLOORS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090
60
90
Jun 15, 2023
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GREEN STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH HEAVY DEEP SEAMS IN REAR PREP AREA.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, (2) PREP SINKS (2) HANDSINKS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT PREP AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT (FRONT/REAR PREP, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR AND IN DINING AREA) INCLUDING WALK-IN COOLER FLOORS.
55
74
Jun 13, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK INFRONT PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. INOPERABLE, NO HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TEMPORARILY USE THE HANDSINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, TURKEY, SANDWICHES, WRAPS, SMOOTHIES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED
3
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATON NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2559650 ISSUED ON 06-22-2022 #58 - ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
60
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING PROCEDURE IN FROZEN BAGS OF COOKED CHICKEN) IN A PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, THAWING MUST OCCUR UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR LESS OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER OR THAWED IN A MICROWAVE OVEN AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO CONVENTIONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH NO INTERRUPTION IN THE PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES.
35
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, SALT ETC).
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, ICE MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, (2) PREP SINKS (2) HANDSINKS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF CONVECTION OVENS, INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL STORAGE AND PREP CABINETS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GREEN STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH HEAVY DEEP SEAMS IN REAR PREP AREA.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDER FRONT HAND AND PREP SINK AND UNDERNEATH ICE BIN IN FRONT PREP AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT (FRONT/REAR PREP, FLOOR DRAINS, WASHROOM FLOOR AND IN DINING AREA) INCLUDING WALK-IN COOLER FLOORS.
55
41
Jun 22, 2022
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-304.11--OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE
58
90
Jun 15, 2022
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDSINKS IN PREPS/DISHWASHING AREA. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM (84.5 F-86.0 F).INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT HANDWASHING SINKS WATER TEMPERATURE MUST BE PROVIDED OF AT LEAST 100 F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
36
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN UNISEX WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tropical Smoothie Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tropical Smoothie Cafe on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tropical Smoothie Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Has Tropical Smoothie Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tropical Smoothie Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tropical Smoothie Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Tropical Smoothie Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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