Tropicuba Cafe

4318 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Tropicuba Cafe three times, with records going back to 2025. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 4, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near three violations each time.

Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Tropicuba Cafe's latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 4, 2026

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS, HOT-HOLDING UNITS, PREP TABLES AND DEEP FRYERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP AND/OR GREASE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Feb 24, 2025

Reinspection

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM IN REAR OF THE BASEMENT AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

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.

Feb 21, 2025

License

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

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. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

Inspector notes: OBSERVED INCORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENUS. ITEMS STARRED ON MENU ARE NOT UNDERCOOKED OR RAW ITEMS (PORK CHOPS, ETC.) INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY BY ADDED REMINDER (*) NEXT TO ITEMS THAT ARE NOT FULLY COOKED. MUST PROVIDE FOOTNOTE THAT STATES IF ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tropicuba Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tropicuba Cafe on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tropicuba Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tropicuba Cafe.

Has Tropicuba Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tropicuba Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tropicuba 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.

Nearby Restaurants

Restaurant Mariscos Nayarit

4318 W Fullerton Ave

Score: 61 — Medium Risk

Taqueria Restaurante Costa Alegre

4318 W Fullerton Ave

Score: 78 — Low Risk

Maya's Nayarit Inc — Costa Alegre

4318 W Fullerton Ave

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago