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IsTheKitchenClean displays publicly available food inspection data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Trending rankings and summaries are automated interpretations of that data and are not official health department assessments. Inspection findings reflect conditions at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at a restaurant.

La Costena Ice Cream Shop Corp.

Restaurant

2517 W 51st St, Chicago, IL 60632

Southwest Side

Sep 9, 2026 — Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

Inspectors found over 10 live roaches throughout the facility, including in refrigeration equipment and food prep areas.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • More than 10 live roaches observed crawling on ice cream display cases, refrigeration units, walls, and in the basement; dead roaches and flies also found throughout.
  • Live potted plants stored near ice cream freezer risked contaminating food.
  • Food debris and spills inside all cold holding units; utility sink faucet leaking.
  • Three-compartment sink missing stoppers and grease trap; hole in wall behind shelf, missing floor tiles, and stained/damaged ceiling tiles in prep and storage areas.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED PEST ACTIVITY IN FACILITY. OBSERVED OVER 10 LIVE ROACHES IN FACILITY, OBSERVED ROACHES IN GASKETS OF SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT, CRAWLING ON EXTERIOR OF ICE CREAM DISPLAY CASE, CRAWLING ON EXTERIOR OF COLD HOLDING UNIT, CRAWLING ON WALL BEHIND COLD HOLDING UNIT AND IN BASEMENT NEAR HOT WATER TANK AND UTILITY SINK. OBSERVED FOUR SMALL FLIES AND ONE LARGE FLY IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ROACH AND FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY, RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 9/9/2026 TO ELIMINATE ROACH AND FLY ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID AFFECTED EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS IN FACILITY. OBSERVED DEAD SMALL FLIES ON DOORS AND INTERIOR SIDES OF ICE CREAM DISPLAY UNIT. OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON SHELVES IN PREP AREA, INTERIOR OF COLD HOLD UNIT WITH TWO DOORS AND FLOOR IN BASEMENT UNDERNEATH STAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD INSECTS FROM FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID COLD HOLDING UNITS AND SHELVING UNITS AND CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT UNDERNEATH STAIRS.

Inspection History

La Costena Ice Cream Shop Corp. has had 8 inspections in the last 5 years with a 63% pass rate. Last inspection was on Sep 23, 2026.

Sep 23, 2026Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

3 violations
Standout inspection
Sep 9, 2026FailVIEWING NOW

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

10 violations
Oct 29, 2025Pass

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

5 violations