What is Cardona's's health inspection score?

Cardona's has a SafeDine safety score of 80 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Cardona's last inspected?

Cardona's was last inspected on June 25, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Cardona's have?

Cardona's has 17 total violations across 4 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Cardona's safe to eat at?

Cardona's has a good safety record with a score of 80/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Cardona's serve?

Cardona's serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Cardona's

Name: Cardona's
Address: 3537 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago, 60625
Rating: 80

3537 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 11mo ago

▲Improving

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0Good

American•Lincoln Square

Ranked #211 of 448 in Lincoln SquareBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Improving

4 inspections

Last: Jun 25, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

4.3

Avg Violations

11 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature controlHigh Priority

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-20

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-3 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-1 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-8 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+6 pts

Latest

100% weight

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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3537 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago, IL 60625

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Violation Timeline

Mar 2023

1 inspections

2 basic

Mar

May 2024

2 inspections

2 high priority

1 intermediate

7 basic

Jun 2025

1 inspections

5 basic

Jun

Inspection History

4 records on file

3 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
NOTED ICE SCOOPS IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE THE ICE. MUST STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER OR WITH THE SCOOP HANDLE INVERTED IN THE ICE.
45SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED−2
ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC CRATES AS SHELVING FOR STORED ITEMS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
NOTED DIRTY RUBBER GASKETS ON THE TWO DOOR COOLER USED FOR CLEAN FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.-----MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING ABOVE THE FRONT PREP THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.----NOTED RUSTY METAL RACK SHELVING ABOVE THE FRONT PREP THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE/REMOVE RUST.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
LEAK ON THE FAUCET NOZZLE OF THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.

Base deductions−10 pts

May 24

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
4-202.16--OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−2 pts

May 24

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High1 Med6 Basic

9 total

63/100inspection score

−37 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MAKER,DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION".INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
OBSERVED THE WALK-IN-COOLER WITH (TCS FOODS) NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE (WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.7F).INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE AT THIS TIME.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.SEE COMMENTS BELOW.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.OBSERVED BEEF AT 47.8F,BEANS AT 48.1F,PORK PASTOR AT 48.7F,CHICKEN SOUP AT 49.1F,CHICKEN POZOLE AT 48.9F,SOUR CREAM AT 48.8F,PORK CARNITAS AT 48.9F,RICE AT 48.1F,CHICKEN AT 48.5F ETC.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS) FOODS AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROX.75 LBS OF FOOD WORTH $1,500.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (6)

−12 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
INTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER AND CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREP/COOKING AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENTS IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED 3 EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

Base deductions−37 pts

Mar 23

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS WITH SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL ITEMS ARE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Base deductions−4 pts

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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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