What is Iguana Cafe's health inspection score?

Iguana Cafe has a SafeDine safety score of 86 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Iguana Cafe last inspected?

Iguana Cafe was last inspected on September 25, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Iguana Cafe have?

Iguana Cafe has 19 total violations across 7 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Iguana Cafe safe to eat at?

Yes, Iguana Cafe has an excellent safety record with a score of 86/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Iguana Cafe

Name: Iguana Cafe
Address: 517-519 N HALSTED ST, Chicago, 60642
Rating: 86

517-519 N HALSTED ST, Chicago

Last inspected 8mo ago

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0Excellent

Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in Chicago

Stable

7 inspections

Last: Sep 25, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

14%

Clean Rate

2.7

Avg Violations

8 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Other violationHigh Priority

Regulatory compliance issue

Food labeling

Food not properly labeled or dated

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-14

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-2 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-2 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-0 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-3 pts

Latest

100% weight

100

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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517-519 N HALSTED ST, Chicago, IL 60642

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Violation Timeline

Apr 2022

1 inspections

2 basic

Apr

Nov 2023

1 inspections

2 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

Dec 2023

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Dec

Oct 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 basic

Aug 2025

2 inspections

1 high priority

2 intermediate

1 basic

Aug

Sep 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

Inspection History

7 records on file

1 Complaint2 Canvass Re-Inspection4 Canvass

Sep 25

Complaint InspectionLatestPass

1 High

1 total1 risk factor

85/100inspection score

−10 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USERisk Factor−10
Observed employee eating in kitchen food production area, instructed not to eat in kitchen.

Base deductions−10 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Aug 25

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Aug 25

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High2 Med1 Basic

4 total

78/100inspection score

−22 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
NO hand wash sink at rear dish washing area. instructed to install. Priority foundation violation 7-38-03-(c)

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION−5
Found 3 containers of Cooked chicken in prep cooler with no discard date. Instructed to date. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005.
36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
Several coolers missing thermometer, instructed to install.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
Food handlers missing hair restraints. instructed to wear.

Base deductions−22 pts

Oct 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High1 Basic

2 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. OBSERVED DIRTY GLASSES AND A WIRE STRAINER PLACED INSIDE OF THE SINK BASIN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT THE HAND WASHING SINK IS FOR HAND WASHING ONLY AND NO EQUIPMENT CAN BE PLACED INSIDE THE HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

Base deductions−12 pts

Dec 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED OATMEAL AND BREAD CRUMBS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE NEED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN THE KITCHEN, PREP AREAS, BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DIRT, FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST IN THE CORNERS, ALONG THE BASEBOARDS OF THE FLOORS IN THE PREP KITCHEN, IN BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN AND DRY STORAGE, AND IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA ALONG THE SOUTH WALL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−11 pts

Nov 23

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High1 Med3 Basic

6 total

69/100inspection score

−31 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS INACCESSIBLE AT THE PREP AREA IN OPERABLE DUE TO IT BEING DISCONNECTED DUE TO LEAKING WHEN IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c)
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON INSIDE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST REMOVE BUILD UP, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED OATMEAL AND BREAD CRUMBS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE NEED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN THE KITCHEN, PREP AREAS, BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DIRT, FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST IN THE CORNERS, ALONG THE BASEBOARDS OF THE FLOORS IN THE PREP KITCHEN, IN BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN AND DRY STORAGE, AND IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA ALONG THE SOUTH WALL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−31 pts

Apr 22

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST UNDERNEATH DISPLAY CASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST RENEW FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Base deductions−4 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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