OCT 9
2025
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
CHIYA CHAI CAFE.
EAT. 81/100
79 E MADISON ST · LOOP, CHICAGO
Last inspected October 9, 2025 · passed
6 of 8 inspections passed, with 6 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
8
6 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
34
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Oct 2021
INSPECTION HISTORY
SEP 232025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
SEP 23
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.12: OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED BROWN BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPILLAGE AND BUILDUP ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.
JUL 232025PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 23
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 11:44 AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 11:44 AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 57.4-63.0F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS CONTAINING MILK, MILK CAKE(57.4-63.0F) AND RASMALAI(59.0-61.9F)HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $120 WEIGHING 5LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED TWO DOOR DISPLAY COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 66.6F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON TWO DOOR DISPLAY COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED IN USE UTENSILS STORED IN CONTAINERS OF WATER BETWEEN USES ON COUNTER IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED DURING PAUSES IN FOOD PREPARATION OR DISPENSING UTENSILS SHALL BE STORED ON A CLEAN PORTION OF THE FOOD PREPARATION TABLE OR COOKING EQUIPMENT ONLY IF THE IN USE UTENSIL AND THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF THE FOOD PREPARATION TABLE OR COOKING EQUIPMENT ARE CLEANED AND SANITIZED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT LEAST EVERY FOUR HOURS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CASES AND BOXES OF WATER, SINGLE USE NAPKINS AND SPICES STORED ON FLOOR IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED BROWN BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BUILDUP ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR UNDERNEATH ONE COMPARTMENT AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED SPILLAGE AND BUILDUP ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR UNDERNEATH ONE COMPARTMENT AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.
JUN 42024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
JUN 4
2024
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE BOXES AND BOWLS STORED FACING UP ABOVE THE HOT HOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICES ITEMS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED THE SIDES AND FAUCET OF THE SCOOP RINSE SINK NEXT TO THE HOT DRINK PREPARATION AREA TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE BUILD UP.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED TWO SOILED FLOOR DRAINS ALONG WESTERN WALL OF FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS TO BE CLEAR OF HEAVY FOOD DEBRIS.
JUL 202023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUL 20
2023
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inaccurate probe thermometer, Instructed to obtain accurate one.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Packaged pudding not labeled in display cooler, instructed to label packaged food according to health code. i,e.
show all 8 inspections →
NOV 282022PASSED9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 28
2022
PASSED
9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED RICE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND IN BULB CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED LARGE DRAIN HOLE IN FLOOR BY THE FRONT PREP AREA WHERE THE CUSTOMERS SIT. MUST FILL GAPS/ GROUT TO PREVENT DEBRIS AND LIQUID FROM ACCUMULATING IN THESE AREAS OF FLOORS. ALL FLOORS MUST BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
NOV 212022FAILED11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
NOV 21
2022
FAILED
11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED (SUCH AS CHICKEN. MILK). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED/SERVED. INSTRUCTED MUST POST A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATION IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED RICE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND IN BULB CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK FOR 2022. MANAGER HAD THE CONTRACT THAT WAS SIGNED FROM 9/24/21 AND HAS NOT HAD AN INSPECTION YET SINCE HE CAN NOT GET HOLD OF THEM. MUST PROVIDE LOGBOOK AND RECENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C)
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF ICE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED LARGE DRAIN HOLE IN FLOOR BY THE FRONT PREP AREA WHERE THE CUSTOMERS SIT. MUST FILL GAPS/ GROUT TO PREVENT DEBRIS AND LIQUID FROM ACCUMULATING IN THESE AREAS OF FLOORS. ALL FLOORS MUST BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →