Rica Arepa Venezuelan Restaurant
2913 N LINCOLN AVE, Chicago, IL 60657 · Cook County
Establishment
- Type
- Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Restaurant)
- Inspected by
- Chicago Department of Public Health
- License / ID
- 2770967
- Status
- Risk 1 (High)
- Official record
- Chicago Department of Public Health inspection reports
Year by year
| Year | Inspections | Violations | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
Inspections
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May 6, 2026 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
Result: Pass.
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Apr 29, 2026 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED COMMERCIAL BLENDER THAT DOES NOT DETACH AND ENTIRE MACHINE CAN NOT FIT INTO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND CAN'T BE SUBMERGED IN WASH WATER IN SINK. MUST PROVIDE CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR EACH SEPARATE PIECE OF FOOD-CONTACT EQUIPMENT WITH DESCRIPTION HOW TO BE CLEANED IN PLACE. PIC CREATED SOP FOR CLEANING BLENDER DURING INSPECTION INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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Not serious
Priority Foundation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR BEFORE RE-INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
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Not serious
Priority Foundation
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT # 2618117 CONDUCTED ON 05/27/2025. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#51) 5-205.15: **C** System Maintained in Good Repair (In Good Repair) THE HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO BE VERY SLOW DRAINING AT TIME OF INSPECTION. HAND SINK IS STILL FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. (#55) 6-501.12: **C** Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions OBSERVED THE FLOOR BELOW THE DEEP FRYERS AND OVEN IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO BE SOILED WITH GREASE AND TRASH BUILD UP OF LOOSE ALUMINUM FOIL AND PLASTIC GOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN FREE OF EXCESSIVE BUILD UP. 6-201.18: **C** Walls and Ceilings, Studs, Joists and Rafters OBSERVED TWO (2) WALL PANELS IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE LOOSE AND ON THE FLOOR, EXPOSING THE STUDS AND CAVITIES BEHIND WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REATTACH AND ENSURE ALL STUDS IN FACILITY ARE ENCLOSED. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
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Severity not stated
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May 27, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED ITEMS (DRINKS AND BOXES OF FOOD) STORED IN THE FLOOR BELOW THE PREP COOLERS IN THE FRONT BAR AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
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Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED HAND SINK IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA AND THE HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO BE VERY SLOW DRAINING AT TIME OF INSPECTION. HAND SINK IS STILL FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE FRONT HAND SINK IN THE BAR AREA TO HAVE LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR WITH ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE. OBSERVED A LEAK FROM THE BASE OF THE FAUCET OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FRONT BAR. WATER LEAKS HEAVILY WHEN WATER IS TURNED ON AND USED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE LEAKING FAUCET AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE FLOOR BELOW THE DEEP FRYERS AND OVEN IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO BE SOILED WITH GREASE AND TRASH BUILD UP OF LOOSE ALUMINUM FOIL AND PLASTIC GOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN FREE OF EXCESSIVE BUILD UP. OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER AT REAR TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS, VEGETABLES, AND TRASH THROUGHOUT THE FLOOR BELOW SHELVES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOORS FREE OF EXCESSIVE TRASH BUILD UP.
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED TWO (2) WALL PANELS IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE LOOSE AND ON THE FLOOR, EXPOSING THE STUDS AND CAVITIES BEHIND WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REATTACH AND ENSURE ALL STUDS IN FACILITY ARE ENCLOSED.
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Severity not stated
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Apr 25, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE STOPPERS FOR BAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
BASEMENT TOOL ROOM FLOOR CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
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Severity not stated
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Jun 14, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
FOOD CONTAINERS STORED UNDER WASTE PIPE IN BASEMENT PREP AREA.SAID PIPES MUST BE ENCASED OR RELOCATE ITEMS. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
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Severity not stated
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
A BUCKET WITH SANITIZE SOLUTION AND LINEN MUST BE PROVIDED AT PREP TABLES
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Severity not stated
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
CUTTING BOARD AT BAR AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS,MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARD
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Severity not stated
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES MUST BE PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
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Severity not stated
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Jun 7, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOOR AT REAR DINIG AREA NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. ROUGH SURFACE. REPAIR ISSUE TO A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
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Severity not stated
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Feb 5, 2021 License Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
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Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE CANNOT BE LOCATED FOR THE FRONT COFFEE MAKERS (2) TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST PROVIDE.----- MISSING GREASE TRAP AT THE FRONT PREP THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
EXPANDING SPRAY FOAM BEING USED AS SEALANT SURROUNDING PIPING IN THE CEILING AND WALLS OF THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING IN THE FOLLOWING BASEMENT AREAS: ABOVE THE REACH-IN COOLER AND ANY DRY FOOD STORAGE AREAS. INSIDE THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. RAW WOODEN DOORWAY AND ALL OPEN SEAMS AND CREVICES INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
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Severity not stated
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Feb 3, 2021 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
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Not serious
Priority Foundation
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND OF SUCH ITEMS ON THE PRINTED MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
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Not serious
Priority Foundation
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR MEASURING HOT AND COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
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Severity not stated
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN GAP ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE DOOR. RODENT PROOF STRIP NOT COMPLETE. ALSO, DOOR TO HALLWAY LEADING TO AN UNSECURED EXIT DOOR WITH OPEN GAP ON BOTTOM THRESHOLD. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON DOOR.
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Severity not stated
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST NOT USE PAPER TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING.
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Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE CANNOT BE LOCATED FOR THE FRONT COFFEE MAKERS (2) TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST PROVIDE.
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Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
MISSING GREASE TRAP AT THE FRONT PREP THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
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Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
EXPANDING SPRAY FOAM BEING USED AS SEALANT SURROUNDING PIPING IN THE CEILING AND WALLS OF THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING IN THE FOLLOWING BASEMENT AREAS: ABOVE THE REACH-IN COOLER AND ANY DRY FOOD STORAGE AREAS. INSIDE THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. RAW WOODEN DOORWAY AND ALL OPEN SEAMS AND CREVICES INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
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Not serious
Priority Foundation
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health. History last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.