Chiya Chai Cafe
Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025
100
Score
Chiya Chai Cafe appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2021. The most recent visit was on Oct 9, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Chiya Chai Cafe is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 9, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 23, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
55
95
Jul 23, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 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.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: 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
33
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 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.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: 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.
1
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 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.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
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52
Jun 4, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 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.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
55
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 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.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE BOXES AND BOWLS STORED FACING UP ABOVE THE HOT HOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICES ITEMS.
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82
Jul 20, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Inaccurate probe thermometer, Instructed to obtain accurate one.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Packaged pudding not labeled in display cooler, instructed to label packaged food according to health code. i,e.
37
90
Nov 28, 2022
Reinspection
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 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.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 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.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 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.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 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.
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64
Nov 21, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 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.
2
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 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)
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 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.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 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.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 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.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 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.
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52
Oct 12, 2021
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chiya Chai Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chiya Chai Cafe on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chiya Chai Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Chiya Chai Cafe.
Has Chiya Chai Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Chiya Chai Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Chiya Chai Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Chiya Chai Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chiya Chai Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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