Canvass
Jul 16, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 16, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Chiya Chai Cafe
2770 N Milwaukee Ave
Last inspected Jul 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsCanvass Re-Inspection
Jan 8, 2026
Pass
5 recorded violations
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
4-204.112(B) OBSERVED YOGURT COOLER AND 2 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED, WITHOUT THERMOMETER INSIDE UNIT TO MONITOR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER OPERATING WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-501.114 OBSERVED MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (RETAURANT MATERIALS, BOXES, STORAGE BINS, MIXERS STORED ON BASEMENT FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL SAID ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN THE PREMISES.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN BASMENT PREP/STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE.
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
2-102.13 OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 8, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 6, 2026
Fail
11 recorded violations
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER OPERATING WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED YOGURT COOLER AND 2 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED, WITHOUT THERMOMETER INSIDE UNIT TO MONITOR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH A VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING MILK, SAMOSAS, CHICKEN, AND CHOPPED TOMATOES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 2 HANDSINKS LOCATED IN (IN USE)REAR PREP AREA WITHOUT HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED INTERNAL LID OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP/STORAGE AREA WITH PINK AND BLACK SLIME BUILDUP ON INTERNAL LID DRIPPING ONTO ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION. APPROXIMATELY 50 LBS COOKED CHICKEN, 15 LBS CAULIFLOWER, 4 LBS SAMOSA, 10 LBS MASALA SAUCE. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS RANGED BETWEEN 50-58F AND STORED INSIDE UPRIGHT COOLER AS WELL AS 2 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE COLD TCS FOODS AT 41F AND BELOW AND MAINTAIN. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD ITEMS AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST $1070. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ALL KITCHENWARE (BOWLS, PANS, POTS, WORKING KITCHENWARE) STORED IMPROPERLY THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA AND STORAGE IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (RETAURANT MATERIALS, BOXES, STORAGE BINS, MIXERS STORED ON BASEMENT FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL SAID ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN THE PREMISES.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN BASMENT PREP/STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE.
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS SHALL OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE FOR REVIEW.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 6, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 21, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. FOUND 20 POUNDS OF CHICKEN CURRY AT 64.3F AND 5 POUNDS OF SOUR CREAM AT 63.2F.PRIORITY VIOLATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005.DISPOSED OF 25 POUNDS TCS FOODS.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperatureOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 21, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Nov 14, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MOPS NEED TO BE HUNG AFTER USE TO PREVENT SMALL FLIES.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 14, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Dec 4, 2023
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 4, 2023 · Original Source