Taste Bud
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
74
Score
Across the available record, Taste Bud has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2010. The most recent visit was on Feb 18, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Taste Bud on the weaker side. 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
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WATER IN MOP PAIL AND MOP HEADS STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL SOILED WATER AND HANG MOP HEADS TO DRY TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG CEILING IN DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS AT HANDWASHING SINKS INSIDE WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM AND LEFT CORNER OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DISPOSABLE CUPS STORED ON FLOOR AND DISPOSABLE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE AND INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
74
Jul 2, 2020
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN CLEAN UP POLICY OR ITEMS OUTLINED IN POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIAARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. DOCUMENT PROVIDED.
5
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR TESTING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. DOCUMENTS PROVIDED.
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPER STORED INSIDE ICE BIN DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY STORE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE. MUST MAINTAIN.
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND-SINK IN REAR PREP AREA SLOW DRAINING AS WELL AS HOT WATER HANDLE SPINNING AROUND. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR POTATO PREP. ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH LARGE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE HOLE IN CEILING ABOVE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE AND MAINTAIN PREMISES.
55
61
Aug 26, 2016
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SOAP FOUND AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA, NOR AT WASHBOWL IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA, AND IN FEMALE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST KEEP SOAP AT ALL HAND WASHING FACILITIES AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 CRITICAL VIOLATION.
12
95
May 6, 2016
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: UPON ENTRY TO BUSINESS OBSERVED COOK HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS(BREAD AND CHEESE) WITH BARE HANDS. MUST USE GLOVES, UTENSILS OR WHITE TIISUE PAPER WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A)
6
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED MGR. ON PREMISES AT START OF INVESTIGATION WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS(HOT SANDWICHES) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012(A).
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN STORAGE SHELVES UNDERNEATH PREP TABLES, ALL COOKING EQUPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN DIRT AND STAINS FROM WALLS WHERE PRESENT. REPLACE GREASY FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. SEAL OPENINGS IN BASEBOARDS IN REAR
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN DUST BUILD-UP FROM EXHAUST VENTS IN WASHROOM.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP FOR CONSUMABLE ICE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
43
74
Apr 28, 2016
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOK HANDLE MEAT, ONIONS, BELL PEPPERS, FRENCH FRIES, BREAD, AND CHEESE WITH BARE HANDS. MUST USE GLOVES, UTENSILS OR WHITE TISSUE PAPER WHEN HANDLING UNCOVERED FOODS. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A).
6
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. MICE DROPPINGS FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 15 ON STORAGE SHELVES WITH CLEAN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA, 35 SCATTERED ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALL REAR SECTIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS, ON TOP OF BASE BOARDS, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES AND ALL OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT REAR. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, SEAL UP ALL CRACKS AND OPENINGS IN FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT AND REPAIR FRONT OUTSIDE DOOR(LARGE GAP GREATER THAN 1 INCH ALONG THE BOTTOM WEST SIDE OF THE DOOR), THE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR(GREATER THAN 1 INCH ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE DOOR), AND THE REAR EXIT DOOR(GREATER THAN 1/4 INCH ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR DISH WASHING AREA ON PREMISES AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
22
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN STORAGE SHELVES UNDERNEATH PREP TABLES, ALL COOKING EQUPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORSTHROUGHOUT ALONG ALL BASES OFTHE WALLS, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT(REMOVE DEBRIS, DROPPINGS).
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN DIRT AND STAINS FROM WALLS WHERE PRESENT. REPLACE GREASY FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. SEAL OPENINGS IN BASEBOARDS IN REAR.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN DUST BUILD-UP FROM EXHAUST VENTS IN WASHROOM.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP FOR CONSUMABLE ICE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
43
67
Jul 13, 2015
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NO LIGHT SHIELDS PROVIDED ON THE LIGHT FIXTURES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST INSTALL.
36
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
86
Jun 29, 2015
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILING OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND REAR STORAGE AREA. APPROXIMATELY 25 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN THIS AREA. ALSO, THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR IS NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH A 1/2" GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY AND RODENT PROOF ALL OUTER OPENINGS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE AND VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NO LIGHT SHIELDS PROVIDED ON THE LIGHT FIXTURES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST INSTALL.
36
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
82
Oct 27, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
34
90
Nov 7, 2013
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE BUILDUP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN REAR UTILITY CLOSET ROOM AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT FRONT PREP AREA.
34
90
Nov 4, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOUND LARGE STANDING ICE MACHINE HAS BLACK SUBSTANCE AND LIME BUILDUP INSIDE THE UNIT. FOOD NOT PROTECTED. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE UNIT. FAX A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND AN INSPECTOR WILL REMOVE THE TAG. DO NOT USE THE ICE MACHINE. UNIT HAS BEEN TAGGED. SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-005(A).
16
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: THE FRONT DOOR AND BACK SCREEN DOOR HAVE A ONE INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOME OF THE DOORS. MUST MAKE THE DOORS TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOFED. SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-020.
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE BUILDUP
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR UTILITY CLOSET ROOM AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
34
82
Jan 17, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR UTILITY CLOSET ROOM AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED ON PROPER STORAGE OF WET MOPS (MOP HEAD STORED UPWARD) AND INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE UTILITY CLOSET.
41
86
Sep 2, 2010
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taste Bud last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taste Bud on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taste Bud?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Taste Bud.
Has Taste Bud's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taste Bud have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taste Bud 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 Taste Bud inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taste Bud is inspected about once every two years on average.
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