Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Kayao

Name: Kayao
Address: 1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL

1252 N Wells St

Last inspected May 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

May 6, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT FLOOR IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER THE SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE COLD PREP/SERVICE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOOR AT THE BAR AREA UNDER THE EQUIPMENT ALONG THE WALL IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 4, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 14Food source and labeling

Official wording

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SHELLFISH (MUSSELS)IN A CONTAINER INSIDE THE SERVICE COOLER WITH NO IDENTIFICATION TAGS AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ALWAYS HAVE TAGS ATTACHED TO THE EACH BATCH UNTIL THE LAST PRODUCT IS USED AND THEN THE TAG MUST BE STORED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 90 DAYS IN A FOLDER. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 4 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $19.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA AND WAITERS STATION NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AT THE KITCHEN AND WAITERS STATION TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION

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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 4, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

May 7, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 7, 2025 · Original Source

License

May 16, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN SMALL COLD HOLDING UNITS IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMTERS IN ALL SMALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.

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 issues

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUST ON TWO GREEN SHELVING UNITS IN REAR COMPARTMENT OF WALKIN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE SHELVING UNITS, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE SMOOTH FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED WHITE PLASTIC FILM ON PREP TABLE NEXT TO HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR, PREP TABLE NEXT TO FRYER AND RINSE SINK NEXT TO DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC FILM NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE SMOOTH FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MOP DRYING ON FLOOR NEAR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINING AND DRYING OF MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.

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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 16, 2024 · Original Source