SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

YAO'S CAFE.

YOUR CALL. 62/100

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

Last inspected March 3, 2026 · passed

2 of 6 inspections passed, 1 failed, 3 passed with conditions. 3 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
2 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
22
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Mar 2022

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 3
2026
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood 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.

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
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 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood 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.

MINOROther
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.

CRITICALPest 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.

MINOROther
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.

MINORPlumbing & 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.

MINORFacility 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
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood 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.

MINORSanitation
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

MINORSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

MINORPest 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.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

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

MINOROther
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
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORFood 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
FAILED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALOther
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.

MINORFood 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.

SERIOUSSanitation
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 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & 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.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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

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 →

NEARBY IN BACK OF THE YARDS