What is LA Cocina's health inspection score?

LA Cocina has a SafeDine safety score of 74 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was LA Cocina last inspected?

LA Cocina was last inspected on November 13, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does LA Cocina have?

LA Cocina has 29 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is LA Cocina safe to eat at?

LA Cocina has a good safety record with a score of 74/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

Official Health Record

LA Cocina

Name: LA Cocina
Address: 209 W LAKE ST, Chicago, 60606
Rating: 74

209 W LAKE ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 11/13/2025

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0Good

West Loop

Ranked #735 of 1000 in West Loop

Declining

6 inspections

Last: Nov 13, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

4.8

Avg Violations

7 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Employee illnessHigh Priority

Sick employee handling food — illness transmission risk

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-29

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-7 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-1 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-3 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-13 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 71/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (74/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

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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209 W LAKE ST, Chicago, IL 60606

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Violation Timeline

Dec 2022

2 inspections

2 high priority

6 basic

Dec

Aug 2023

2 inspections

3 high priority

10 basic

Sep 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

2 basic

Sep

Nov 2025

1 inspections

2 high priority

3 basic

Inspection History

6 records on file

4 Canvass2 Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

2 High3 Basic

5 total1 risk factor

69/100inspection score

−26 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

5PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTSRisk Factor−10
FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL SPILL KIT WITH SANITIZER.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT 2 HAND SINKS(BAR/PREPARATION) AT PREMISES.MUST PROVIDE.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
FOUND MISSING FAN SHIELD INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.MUST PROVIDE.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
FOUND BURNT LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER.MUST PROVIDE.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

Base deductions−26 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Sep 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med2 Basic

3 total

91/100inspection score

−9 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
Fly trap installed above clean glasses rack, instructed to keep away.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
Ice scoop placed on top of ice cubes at bar area, instructed to keep off ice cubes.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
Ice bin at bar missing cover, customers seating across. instructed to install.

Base deductions−9 pts

Aug 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
4-501.13 OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE NOT CLEAN LOCATED ON THE SHELF IN THE KITCHEN NEAR THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-201.11 OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANELS IN THE REAR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE MISSING CEILING TILE PANEL AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
2-102.13 OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−16 pts

Aug 23

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High7 Basic

9 total

66/100inspection score

−34 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED A WHITE PANEL INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE THAT TOUCHED ICE FILLED WITH A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WASH, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (7)

−14 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE NOT CLEAN LOCATED ON THE SHELF IN THE KITCHEN NEAR THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT, UNUSED GRILL AND BOTTOM OF THE PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANEL IN THE REAR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE MISSING CEILING TILE PANEL AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL CEILING/WALL VENTS.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
OBSERVED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2568364 CONDUCTED ON 12/12/22. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#58) 2-102.13: FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−34 pts

Dec 22

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
FOUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA DETACHED FROM WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RE ATTACH.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
FOUND HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE FILTERS GRIDDLE ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

Base deductions−6 pts

Dec 22

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High3 Basic

5 total

74/100inspection score

−26 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDWASHING SINK IN DISH ROOM. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.CORRECTED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER PROVIDES PAPER TOWEL AT TIME OF INSPCTION.
16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
FOUND WHITE PANEL INSIDE ICE MACHINE THAT TOUCHES ICE FILLED WITH A BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
FOUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA DETACHED FROM WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RE ATTACH.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
FOUND HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE FILTERS GRIDDLE ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

Base deductions−26 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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