Boki's Tea House
Last inspected: Nov 25, 2025
33
Score
Boki's Tea House has been inspected three times since 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 25, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around five violations to closer to 16 violations per visit.
“Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Boki's Tea House's latest score of 33 falls below the Chicago average of 81. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 25, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO EMPLOYEES WASHING DISHES AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT THE SINK BEING SET TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE USING A SOAP SPONGE ONLY, NO SANITIZING. WHEN THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED INSTRUCTED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO PROPERLY SET THE SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZED AND INSTRUCTED TO REWASH ALL DISHES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: REAR PREP HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE. SINK OBSERVED WITH FOOD UTENSILS INSIDE THE SINK. INSTRUCTED HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. CERTIFICATE FOUND INSIDE A BINDER. NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS DAIRY BEVERAGES WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGER WAS TELEPHONED UPON MY ARRIVAL AND ARRIVED ON SITE APPROXIMATELY 50 MINUTES LATER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE REAR PREP HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED AFTER ARRIVAL ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #10 FOR CITATION.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOODS INCLUDING ALL DRINK ADDITIVES NOT STORED IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD PREPARERS NOTED WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
40
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED IN USE UTENSILS BEING STORED INSIDE THE REAR PREP UTILITY SERVICE SINK. INSTRUCTED THE SERVICE SINK IS TO BE USED FOR CLEANING AND WASTE WATER ONLY.-----ALSO NOTED ICE SCOOP WITHOUT A HANDLE IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE THE ICE. MUST PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP WITH A HANDLE TO BE INVERTED IN THE ICE.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AND REAR STORAGE CLOSET MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: REAR PREP TABLE IN POOR REPAIR WITH MISSING LEG AND SHELVING PARTIALLY ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED PEELING PLASTIC ON THE METAL PREP SHELVING UNDER THE REAR PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PLASTIC.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK FOR UTENSIL RINSING AND FOOD RELATED PREPARATION AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA OR REMOVE ALL FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A WASTE RECEPTACLE AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----RAW WOODEN BRACKET BEHIND THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED TO BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.----BASEBOARD WALL ADJACENT TO THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH DAMAGED PLASTER AND PEELING PAINT, ALSO WALL IN WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BOTH CEILING VENTS IN THE WASHROOM WITH EXCESSIVE DUST AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
57
33
Feb 14, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 6, 2023
License
1 critical violation. 7 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SANITIZER FOR DISHES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE QUAT OR CHLORINE SANITIZER FOR DISHES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 10 RODENT DROPPINGS IN STORAGE AREA CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) NO CITATION ISSUED.
38
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. MANAGER ONLY HAD PROCEEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES ARE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TEA PREPERATION AREA IN STORAGE ROOM WITH NO HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SINK TO TEA PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Time as a public health control; procedures & records
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ROOM TEMPERATURE TEA JUGS WITH WORKS MILK TEA WRITTEN ON THEM. MANAGER STATED TIME AS A CONTROL SHALL BE USED FOR MILK TEA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEEDURES AND METHODS FOR TIME AS A CONTROL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
24
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR MEASURING TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER FOR HOT AND COLD FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
36
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE QUAT OR CHLORINE TEST STRIPS BASED ON WHICH SANITIZER IS PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOLES IN CEILING IN CORNER OF STORAGE ROOM ABOVE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL HOLES
55
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
51
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Boki's Tea House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Boki's Tea House on file is from Nov 25, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Boki's Tea House?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Boki's Tea House.
Has Boki's Tea House's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Boki's Tea House have averaged around 16 violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Boki's Tea House means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Boki's Tea House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Boki's Tea House is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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