Temax Garden Cafe

2544 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Jul 8, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged four inspections at Temax Garden Cafe, the earliest from 2024. The most recent visit was on Jul 8, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly five violations earlier on.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

Temax Garden Cafe's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jul 8, 2025

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AT THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

Jun 26, 2025

Reinspection

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Previous priority foundation violation corrected

Inspector notes: 8-404.13 (B:3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION (54) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2619381, DATE 6/18/25. PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090. Violation Codes: 5-501.113(B) Inspector Comments: OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER IN POOR REPAIR (MISSING LID). MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FOOD SOURCE / HARBORAGE FOR PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDTION VIOLATION.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE CORNERS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND GREASE.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LIGHT NOT PROPERLY WORKING IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AT THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

Jun 18, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER IN POOR REPAIR (MISSING LID). MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FOOD SOURCE / HARBROAGE FOR PEST. PRIORITY FOUNDTION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-020(B).

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AT THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE CORNERS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND GREASE.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LIGHT NOT PROPERLY WORKING IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

May 16, 2024

License

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

Inspector notes: 2-401.11 OBSERVED A PERSONAL DRINK WITHOUT A LID. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEE DRINKS MUST HAVE LIDS.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS (BEANS, FLOUR, ETC.) NOT LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL ITEMS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspector notes: 4-502.13 OBSERVED FOODS STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN THE REACH-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED ONLY TO USE FOOD-GRADE BAGS AND FOOD-GRADE CONTAINERS TO STORE ALL FOODS.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Temax Garden Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Temax Garden Cafe on file is from Jul 8, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Temax Garden Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Temax Garden Cafe.

Has Temax Garden Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Temax Garden Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Temax Garden 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.

Nearby Restaurants

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La Pulqueria

2501 S Western Ave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago