Taste of Chicago
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
86
Score
Going back to 2010, Taste of Chicago has nine inspections in the public record. Taste of Chicago was last inspected on Mar 18, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Taste of Chicago on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A KNIFE BEING STORED BETWEEN REACH IN COOLER AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE UTENSIL AND PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF CLENING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
86
Feb 4, 2026
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF CLENING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A KNIFE BEING STORED BETWEEN REACH IN COOLER AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE UTENSIL AND PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
43
86
May 9, 2025
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: REAR SCREEN DOOR IS IN POOR REPAIR AND IS NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, RODENT/INSECT PROOF SCREEN DOOR OR KEEP THE OUTER DOOR CLOSED. MAINTAIN SAME.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE OF USED COFFEE CONTAINERS AND HELD IN THE CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADEABLE BAGS/CONTAINERS TO STORE TCS FOODS. MAINTAIN SAME.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZING AGENT MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: TONGS STORED ON THE HANDLE OF THE STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN BIN/CONTAINER WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
43
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAK AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE TOILET ROOM HAS NO LID. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID FOR THE UNISEX TOILET ROOM. MAINTAIN SAME.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MOPS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP FOR PROPER AIR DRYING WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN BETWEEN, UNDER/AROUND THE COOLERS/FREEZERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT, AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
67
Mar 29, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 21, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 3-501.16(A:1) OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT INADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED ABOUT 5 LBS OF COOKED CHICKEN AT 52F, ABOUT 5 LBS OF COOKED HAMBURGERS AT 98F, AND ABOUT 5 LBS OF COOKED PORK AT 64F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND MAINTAIN ALL HOT-HOLDING TCS FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. THE MANAGER DISCARDED SAID TCS FOODS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
21
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-302.14 OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST THE SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
48
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS PROPERLY.
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, ON THE LOWER SHELVES UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, AND UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
58
52
May 21, 2012
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: THE KITCHEN KNIFE HOLDER IS GREASY AND DIRTY, CLEAN AND SANTIZE THE
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE REACH IN PREP COOLER AND STAND UP FREEZER HAS DAMAGED AND DIRTY GASKETS, CLEAN AND REPAIR THE DOORS AD GASKETS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: THE FLOORS ARE DIRTY, CLEAN THE FLOORS FROM CORNER TO CORNER.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: THE WALLS BEHIND THE PREP COOLER ARE DIRTY, CLEAN AND REPAINT THE WALLS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: THE LIGHT SHIELDS ARE DIRTY WITHIN, CLEAN OUT AND MAINTAIN THE SHIELDS CLEAN.
36
78
Oct 4, 2011
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. FOUND RUSTY SHELVES AND LEGS UNDER SOME OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST AND PAINT SAME. REPLACE THE MISSING AND TORN GASKETS IN THE FOUR DOOR COOLER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. THE FOLLOWING TOP, SIDES, BACK AND INSIDE OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THE REACHIN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
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 THE FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND THE REACHIN COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS DUST AND DIRT ON THEM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. CLEAN THE WALLS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS SPLISHED ON FOOD DEBRIS ON THEM.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. SOME OF THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE PREP AREA HAS DUST BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAME.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. CLEAN THE VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES HAS DUST AND DIRT BUILDUP.
38
74
Apr 9, 2010
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Feb 10, 2010
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES OF DESSERTS, FRUIT BOWLS, AND SALADS AT FRONT DISPLAY COOLER.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST CHEST FREEZERS WITH ICE BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR BOTTOM PANEL IN UPRIGHT FREEZER TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE STAINS FROM CUTTING BOARDS AND REPAIR LID/COVERS FOR FRONT PREP COOLER.
32
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. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN DINING AREA AND PREP AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING PANELS IN DINING AREA,PREP AREA, AND TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENINGS AT PIPING AND CONDUITS AT REAR PREP AREA.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR BROKEN TEMPERATURE GAUGE AT REFRIGERATOR.
40
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN CONTAINER WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION AND MAINTAIN WASH CLOTHS IN GOOD CONDITION.
43
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taste of Chicago last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taste of Chicago on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taste of Chicago?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taste of Chicago.
Has Taste of Chicago's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taste of Chicago have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taste of Chicago 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 Taste of Chicago inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taste of Chicago is inspected about once every two years on average.
Nearby Restaurants