TAIPEI CAFE.
2609-2611 S HALSTED ST · PILSEN, CHICAGO
Failed 5 of 15 inspections. 10 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
JUL 142025PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
MUST LABEL LARGE BULK STORAGE CONTAINER WITH PRODUCT NAME.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL STORAGE SHELVINGS, INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN THE FANS IN THE KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE WALLS AND FLOORS THROUGH OUT ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS.
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ALLERGEN TRAINING EXPIRED. MUST RENEW AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 242024PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER AT(CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 00 P.P.M. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE IT UNTIL THE EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY SANITIZED AT A MINIMUM OF 50 P.P.M. EQUIPMENT MUST PROPERLY SANITIZE .TECHNICIAN CAME DURING THE INSPECTION AND FIXED THE ISSUE. AT THE END OF INSPECTION SANITIZER WAS READING 50 PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT IN SMALL AND LARGE COLD HOLD UNIT IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS
OBSERVED TWO CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON-SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION TO TEST CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER PF PROPERLY. TECHNICIAN WHO CAME TO FIX THE SANITIZING ISSUE BROUGHT TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN LADY'S BATHROOM.
6-501.114 NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT ON SHELVES, FLOORS INSIDE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND IN STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST UPGRADE HOUSING KEEPING.
JUL 62023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
6-501.14 MUST CLEAN THE HOODABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT FILLED WITH GREASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 32023FAILED6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
2-101.11 FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN) IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
5-205.11 FOUND WATER STEAMER DRAIN PIPE LOCATED IN FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER RINSE CUPS AND DRAIN THEM ON THE DRAINBOARD LOCATED ON THE HANDWASHING SINK. HANDWASHING SINKS SHOULD BE USED FOR HANDWASHING PURPOSES ONLY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DRAIN PIPE AND NO LONGER USE HANDWASHING SINK AS PREP SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-39-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
4-301.11 OBSERVED TAGGED REACH-IN COOLER IN USE LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 48F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. REACH IN COOLERS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL TCS FOODS AND NOT USE REACH-IN COOLER. UNTIL IT MAINTAINS A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND IS RE-INSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
4-301.16 FOUND NO FOOD PREP SINK IN FRONT OF FOOD PREP/TEA STATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
6-501.12 FOUND FLOORS AND WALLS BEHIND AND UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALL STORAGE SHELVES, AND DISH MACHINE FILLED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
6-501.14 MUST CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT FILLED WITH GREASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
JUN 292023FAILED13 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND WATER STEAMER DRAIN PIPE LOCATED IN FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER RINSE CUPS AND DRAIN THEM ON THE DRAINBOARD LOCATED ON THE HANDWASHING SINK. HANDWASHING SINKS SHOULD BE USED FOR HANDWASHING PURPOSES ONLY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DRAIN PIPE AND NO LONGER USE HANDWASHING SINK AS PREP SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-39-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
FOUND CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 71F. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD STORAGE PRACTICES. OBSERVED RAW PORK UNCOVERED AND STORED DIRECTLY ON/OVER AN OPEN BOX OF BEAN SPROUTS. FOOD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CROSS-CONTAMINATION BY ARRANGING ALL FOODS TO BE STORED, HELD, AND DISPLAYED IN ORDER OF MINIMUM COOKING TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD 20 LBS OF BEAN SPROUTS AT $50.
OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (MILK, HEAVY CREAM, PUDDING MADE FROM POWDER THAT CONTAINS MILK) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 52F - 49F LOCATED IN 2 REACH-IN COOLERS IN FRONT PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AT 15 GALLONS AND 10 LBS COST $130. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (TCS): PUDDING (MADE FROM POWDER THAT CONTAINS MILK), COOKED KALE, COOKED NOODLES, HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED TWO REACH-IN COOLERS LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 49F - 53F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. REACH IN COOLERS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL TCS FOODS AND NOT USE REACH-IN COOLER. UNTIL IT MAINTAINS A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND IS RE-INSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
FOUND NO THERMOMETER IN COOLER LOCATED IN DINING AREA AND REAR PREP. MUST PROVIDE.
FOUND SUGAR, FLOUR, AND RICE STORED IN BULK CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COMMON NAME TO FOOD ITEMS WHEN TAKEN OUT OF THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
FOUND SINGLE-SERVICE FOOD CONTAINERS AND PAPER TOWELS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES OFF OF FLOOR.
FOUND NO FOOD PREP SINK IN FRONT OF FOOD PREP/TEA STATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
FOUND FLOORS AND WALLS BEHIND AND UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALL STORAGE SHELVES, AND DISH MACHINE FILLED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
MUST CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT FILLED WITH GREASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
FOUND CONTINUED NON- COMPLIANCE FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2528853 CONDUCTED ON 8/31/21. 6-501.14 OBSERVED CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE AREAS. MUST ORGANIZE TO PREVENT HARBORAGE. ALSO, MAINTAIN AREAS FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. 4-601.11(C)MUST CLEAN ALL STORAGE SHELVING INTERIOR OF THE COOLERS AND FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS. THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS WERE NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
show all 15 inspections →
AUG 312021PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PRECOOKED AND PREPARED FOOD ITEMS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH PRODUCT NAME AND DATE.
INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY ELEVATE AND COVER ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINER AND/OR BAGS.
MUST CLEAN ALL STORAGE SHELVING, INTERIOR OF THE COOLERS AND FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNER THROUGH OUT THE PREP AREA AND REAR STORAGE AREAS.
OBSERVED CLUTTER THROUGH OUT THE STORAGE AREAS. MUST ORGANIZE TO PREVENT HARBORAGE. ALSO MAINTAIN AREAS FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.
MUST CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
DEC 162020PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS.
INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY ELEVATE AND COVER ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS,REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
FLOORS NEED CLEANING THROUGH OUT TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE.
JUL 292019FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED PORK 212*F, RICE 154*F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
SEE VIOLATION # 59.
SEE VIOLATION # 59
OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE ON VIOLATION #60 VIOLATION #48,AND #51 FROM REPORT 2303276 DATE 7/24/2019. #48 OBSERVED LARGE POTS AND NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WAREWASHING.OBSERVED LARGE POTS FOR COOKING FOOD PORK/CHICKEN UNABLE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER EQUIPMENT(SMALLER POTS)ABLE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN BASIN OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR HAVE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WAREWASHING. #51 OBSERVED NO DIPPERWELL INSTALLED FOR HAND DIPPED ICECREAM AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH COLD RUNNING WATER AND CONNECTED TO PROPER PLUMBING/DRAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.
SEE VIOLATION #59.
JUL 172019FAILED5 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED 37 1/2 DOZ OF EGGS IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 80*F. DELIVERED 7/15/2019, SITTING ON THE FLOOR OVER 2 NITE, AND A SMALL FAN SITTING ON TOP THE EGG BOXES THE EGGS WERE NOT KEPT AT PROPER TEMPERATURE 41*F, OR BELOW.PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER DENATURED/DISPOSED OF THE 37 1/2 DOZ OF EGGS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE VALUE $25.00.
OBSERVED THE REAR STORAGE AREA STORAGE SHELVES, AND BULK CONTAINERS EXTERIOR WITH SOY SAUCE ALL OVER THE SHELF, AND EXTERIOR OF CONTAINERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
SEE VIOLATION #60
SEE VIOLATION #60.
OBSERVED NON COMPLIANCE WITH VIOLATIONS #48, AND #51 FROM REPORT 2282694 DATE 4/5/2019, CORRECT BY DATE 7/5/2019. VIOLATION #48 SAME LARGE POTS, AND NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WA REWASHING OBSERVED LARGE POTS FOR COOKING FOOD CHICKEN, AND PORK UNABLE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER EQUIPMENT ABLE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN BASIN OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR HAVE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WA REWASHING. VIOLATION #51 OBSERVED NO DIPPER WELL FOR HAND DIPPED ICE CREAM AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH COLD RUINING WATER AND CONNECTED TO PROPER PLUMBING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.
APR 52019PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. NEED DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS, OR PROPER CHLORINE TEST STRIPS RANGE 1000-5000PPM.
OBSERVED IN FRONT SMALL BOTTLES OF DIFFERENT FLAVORS AT DRINK STATION NOT PROPERLY LABELED TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINER, ALSO IN THE REAR THERE IS A MIXTURE OF SPICES NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER NO PROPERLY LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS AND PACKAGES WITH COMMON NAME/INGREDIENTS FOR THE SPICE BAGS IN REAR.
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES IMPROPERLY STORED ON THE FRONT DIRNK STATION AND REAR PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTIONS BETWEEN USE.
OBSERVED LARGE POTS FOR COOKING FOOD CHICKEN, PORK UNABLE TO FULY SUBMERGE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER EQUIPMENT ABLE TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN BASINS OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR HAVE A WRITTENPROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT.
OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE 2 DOOR FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ALSO CLEAN INTERIOR OF THE TOASTER OVEN.
OBSERVED NO DIPERWELL FOR HAND DIPPED ICE CREAM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH COLD RUNING WATER, AND CONNECTED TO PROPER PLUMBING.
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
APR 22018PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (41/2 DOZEN EGGS ON PREP COUNTER IN CARTON AND BOWL)AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 66-70F. MANAGER VOLUTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP COLD FOODS AT 40F OR LOWER AT ALL TIMES. APPROX. WEIGHT 8LBS AND APPROX. VALUE $20.00. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
CLEAN/SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND PROPERLY STORE CLEAN AFTER USE. CLEAN SANITIZE KNIFE RACK IN PREP AREA.
DETAIL CLEAN/SANITIZE INTERIOR BOTTOM AND LEDGING OF REFRIGERATION AND FREEZER UNITS OF HEAVILY ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS. CLEAN EXTERIOR OF UNITS AS WELL INCLUDING PREP TABLES AND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT OF FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS AND UNDER SHELVING OF REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
REMOVE CLUTTER IN DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
OCT 172017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED.(FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC.) MUST LABEL.
FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT DRY STORAGE AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
OCT 102017FAILED6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND APPROXIMATELY 30 POUNDS OF COOKED PORK BELLY INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AT 50.3F. CRITICAL VIOLATION.7-38-005A. DISPOSED OF 30 POUNDS OF PORK. VALUE AT 50 DOLLARS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROPERLY COOL COOKED FOOD BEFORE STORING INSIDE COOLERS.
OBSERVED ABOUT 30 FRUIT FLIES ON WALLS AT FRONT JUICE PREPARATION AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE JUICE PREPARATION AREAS, NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR, AND MUST ELIMINATE FRUIT FLIES. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-020.
FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED.(FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC.) MUST LABEL.
FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT DRY STORAGE AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
FOODHANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE.
FOODHANDLERS AT PREMISES WITH NO FOODHANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.
NOV 292016PASSED1 violationDETAILS
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN THE REFRIGERATORS OR PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
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 →