Pupuseria Cafe

Year by year

Inspections

1. Jul 10, 2026 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED LOOSE DAMAGED GASKET ON 2-DOOR COLD HOLD UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED DAMAGE TO WALL IN REAR AREA NEAR RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AREA TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

2. Sep 11, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN POOR REPAIR, OPENING ON PANEL. INSTD TO REPAIR SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE

3. Mar 19, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ON BATHROOM SINK CABINET. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED WALL IN UTILITY ROOM TO HAVE HOLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

4. Apr 27, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     OBSERVED ICE SCOOP HANDLE LAYING ON ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANDLE UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

     OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

5. Aug 10, 2022 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     3 LARGE DEEP TIGHTLY COVERED CONTAINERS OF COLESLAW (CONTAINS SHREDDED CABBAGE AND PREPARED YESTERDAY) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 59.0F-64.0F. INSTD TO MAINTAIN AT 41F OR BELOW. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY 7-38-005. COLESLAW DISCARDED AND DENATURED. APPROX 30LBS $ 100 VALUE

   • Severity not stated

     TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

     EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STOED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

     MPROPER COOLING OF PREPARED COLESLAW. INSTD TO PROPERLY COOL: SUCH AS SHALLOW CONTAINRES, (1) ARRANGE IN EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE CONTAINER WALLS; AND (2) LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PERIOD TO FAICLITATE HEAT TRANSFER FROM THE SURFACE OF THE FOOD

   • Severity not stated

     APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

     IMPROPER THAWING OF STEAK IN BASIN OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT ANY WATER. INSTD TO THAW PROPERLY (UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION)

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN

6. Feb 4, 2021 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

     NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19

   • Severity not stated

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP KIT OR VOMIT DIAHARREA POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. NO CITATION ISSUED DUE TO COVID-19

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     NO LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN WASHROOM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

7. May 13, 2019 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

     MISSING EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMTIING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIRITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINK IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Serious Priority

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     OBSERVED CONTAINER OF COOKED STEAK AT 64.5F IN REACH IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED LARGE 10 GALLON CONTAINER OF COLESLAW AT 74.5F (CONTAINING CUT CABBAGE ( CUT LEAFY GREEN), CARROT, JALAPENO) PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED UNREFRIGERATED. PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME, APPROX 30LBS, 100$ VALUE. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MGR STATES BOTH MADE YESTERDAY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

     VARIETY OF FOOD NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED STEAK, COOKED CHICKEN, ETC.) REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT TCS FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE TO MONITOR COLD AND HOT TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     IMPROPER CONTAINERS BEING USED FOR STORAGE, REUSING BLACK MILK CRATE TYPE FOR STORAGE. INSTD TO USE PROPER CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO REMOVE ANY CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ORGANIZE AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.

8. Feb 26, 2018 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

     CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

     OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED, IE PORK 212*F ON STOVE TOP. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012a.

   • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

     INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

     OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS AT THIS TIME, SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010b.

   • Not serious Minor

     FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

     OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR MICROWAVE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

   • Not serious Minor

     FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

     OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.(TWO EMPLOYEES).

9. Feb 8, 2017 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Minor

     FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

     CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.

   • Not serious Minor

     FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

     UNDENEATH ALL DOOR HANDLES OF COOLERS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Not serious Minor

     REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

     MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.

   • Not serious Minor

     PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

     STOCK ON FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES.