Yao's Cafe

Chicago Health Dept

601 W 43RD ST · BACK OF THE YARDS, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2026).

6 inspections on record since 2022 · Last inspected Mar 2026.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2026

Inspection history

MAR 3

2026

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Temperature

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Keeping spoon for scooping rice in standing water at room temperature, instructed to keep according to health code, ie.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Using deli cups as a scoop for bulk food containers, instructed to use proper scoops.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Employee's toilet room door not self-closing, Instructed to provide a self-closing device.

APR 16

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER: RAW SHELLFISH AT 47.8F, RAW CHICKEN AT 46.6F, RAW BEEF AT 46.9F. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 41.0°F OR BELOW FOR COLD-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 35 LBS OF FOOD VALUED APPROXIMATELY $100.00WAS DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DISCARDED AND DENATURED ALL MENTIONED TCS FOOD ITEMS ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED REACH-IN COOLERS THROUGHOUT MAIN COOK LINE MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED REAR EXTERIOR DOOR WITH BOTTOM DOOR SWEEP IN POOR REPAIR AND GAPS GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME, INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM ENTRY OF PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR SWEEP AND ELIMINATE GAPS TO PREVENT ENTRY OF INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS, AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

OBSERVED SEVERAL UNWRAPPED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWEL ROLLS STORED ON SHELF IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWEL ROLLS AND MAINTAIN SINGLE-SERVICE/SINGLE-USE ARTICLES OUTSIDE OF PROHIBITED AREAS, SUCH AS TOILET ROOMS.

Minor Other

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

OBSERVED FACILITY RE-USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOBA CONTAINERS TO STORE FRUITS AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS FOR BOBA TEA. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE RE-USE OF SINGLE-USE CONTAINERS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT FOR STORING FRUITS AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD-UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM OF AN ADEQUATE NUMBER AND CAPACITY TO PREVENT THE BUILDUP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ALONG THE HOOD SYSTEM AND ADJACENT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 27

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: NOODLES 68.4F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 10 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $20.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN, BEEF, PORK, AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE 2-DOOR FREEZERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW IT TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB IN THE REAR UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

FEB 22

2023

PASS 1 violation

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS(NOODLES) STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.

FEB 10

2023

FAIL 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVERED FOOD ITEMS(NOODLES) STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

show all 6 inspections →

MAR 15

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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