Sushi Taku
Last inspected: Aug 19, 2025
70
Score
Going back to 2020, Sushi Taku has 12 inspections in the public record. On Aug 19, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around seven violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded 10 times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 19, 2025
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF AND CHICKEN IN THANK YOU BAGS IN THE FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON STORAGE RACKS IN DRY & LIQURE STOREROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH-IN AND WALK-IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR WALL WITH PAINT CHIPPED OFF AND DRY WALL IS NOW BREAKING, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP SPRAYING TO THE SIDE, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES IN DRY STORAGE AREA UNDER STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
70
May 13, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (VARIETY OF FISH ROE, ORANGE TOBIKO ROE AT 57.8F, BLACK TOBIKO 56.8F, AND RED TOBIKO 58.5F) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 56.8F-58.5F LOCATED IN SUSHI DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE 2# WITH A VALUE OF 196.87. ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41�F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION COMBINED WITH THE ABOVE VIOLATION.
22
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOOD NOT MEETING REQUIREMENT OF 135�F DEGREES OR ABOVE IN THE DESIGNATED HOT-HOLDING UNIT: TEMPURA HOT SUSHI ROLL & TEMPURA VEGGIES AT 107.9�F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 1 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $32.00 THROUGH THE DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
21
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOST RECENT INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED IN FACILITY. (SUMMARY POSTED ARE 06/13/2023 MOST RECENT INSPECTION WAS 1/26/24.) INSTRUCTED MUST POST MOST RECENT INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT IN PLAIN VIEW AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR PROVIDED WITH TODAY'S SUMMARY DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B).
61
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENT CONTAINERS, RACKS AND SHELVING WITH FLOUR, DUST, GREASE, AND DIRT BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT. RECOMMENDED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
56
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY NOT MEETING THAWING REQUIREMENTS. FOOD HANDLER THAWING FROZEN IMATATION CRAB IN UTILITY SINK AND ON FLOOR NEAR UTILITY SINK. INFORMED FOOD HANDLER OF PROPER THAWING METHODS (MUST UTILIZE RUNNING WATER WITH ENOUGH VOLATILITY WHEN THAWING). MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, AND WALK-IN FREEZER AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET DELI CUPS STACKED TOGETHER, INSTRUCTED TO ALLOW DELI CUPS TO AIR DRY BEFORE STACKING.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE RUST BUILDUP ON THE BOTTOM SHELVES OF TWO STAINLESS STEEL PREP TABLES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TABLES OR PAINT THE TABLES TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE SURFACE.
47
45
Jan 26, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO SIGNAGE AT 2 HANDWASHING STATIONS IN FOOD PREPARATION STATIONS. MUST PROVIDE.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOUND FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT REAR STORAGE/MOP SINK AREAS.MUST CLEAN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
58
82
Jun 13, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: SOME PREP AREA BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL PREP AREA BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE/DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD.
49
90
Aug 18, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE TOP OF THE DISH MACHINE AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVING ABOVE THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK.
49
95
Aug 8, 2022
Complaint
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 50 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE PREMISES AND 5 LIVE HOUSE FLIES. OBSERVED LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE CEILING AND WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREAS, DRY STORAGE AREA, WALLS OUTSIDE THE WASHROOMS AND WALLS IN THE DINING ROOM. OBSERVED LIVE HOUSE FLIES ON THE CEILING OF BOTH FOOD PREP AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WET WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE TOP OF THE DISH MACHINE AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVING ABOVE THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAIN AT THE END OF THE COOK'S LINE. CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREAS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
70
May 3, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE CUTTING RAW TUNA FOR SUSHI AND TOUCHING THE FISH WITH THEIR BARE HANDS WHILE CUTTING IT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
9
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN SHRIMP BEING THAWED IN A CONTAINER AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW TCS FOODS.
35
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAINT THE CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALL COLUMN IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES IN EITHER FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
57
64
Sep 30, 2021
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS AT DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Jul 6, 2021
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP UNDER AND BETWEEN REAR EXIT DOUBLE DOOR SWEEPS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOORS.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES IN WOMENS WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ONE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
86
Jun 28, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHLORINE TEST PAPERS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE CHLORINE DISHMACHINE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE CHLORINE SANITIZING TEST PAPERS ON PREMISES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
48
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP UNDER AND BETWEEN REAR EXIT DOUBLE DOOR SWEEPS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOORS.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST/GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FOOD BUILD UP ON EXTERIOR OF DISHMACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES IN WOMENS WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP ON PREP AREA FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND DIRT/FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS. MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL EQUIPMENT AND ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS ALSO MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD/DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
67
Feb 21, 2020
Reinspection
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
82
Feb 11, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 4 major violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A DRAFT BEER COOLER STORED NEXT TO THE HOSTESS STATION WHERE IT IS NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY THE PUBLIC. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MOVE OR INSTALL A BARRIER SO THAT THE BEER COOLER SO IT IS NOT ACCESSSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
39
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO pH TEST PROVIDED FOR SUSHI RICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PRODUCT ASSESSMENT PERFORMED FOR SUSHI RICE WITH pH AND WATER ACTIVITY TESTS OR PROVIDE A pH METER TO TEST THE SUSHI RICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO pH TEST PROVIDED FOR SUSHI RICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PRODUCT ASSESSMENT PERFORMED FOR SUSHI RICE WITH pH AND WATER ACTIVITY TESTS OR PROVIDE A pH METER TO TEST THE SUSHI RICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
32
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sushi Taku last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sushi Taku on file is from Aug 19, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sushi Taku?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Sushi Taku.
Has Sushi Taku's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Sushi Taku have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sushi Taku means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Sushi Taku inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sushi Taku is inspected around two times per year on average.
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