Complaint
Mar 30, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 30, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Tea Monster
108 N State St
Last inspected Mar 30, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
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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
Jan 14, 2026
Pass
6 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 problemsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
MUST ELEVATE FOOD AND PAPER PRODUCTS FROM FLOOR SIX INCHES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON 1- DOOR PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP AND SPLATTER FROM COUNTER TOPS SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE & FOOD COUNTER,PREP COOLERS,LID OF GREASE TRAP.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
MUST SEAL HOLES IN CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA.
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 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST 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 14, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 22, 2025
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED WITH THE HANDLE INSIDE OF ICE IN ICE BIN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO STORE ICE SCOOP WITH THE HANDLE UP AND OUT OF THE FOOD ITEM TO PROTECT FROM 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 WET MOPS STORED IN THE BUCKET IN THE REAR UTILITY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HANG MOPS TO ALLOW TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.
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, Jan 22, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 10, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT THAT IS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION, DETAIL CLEAN AREA, AND ORGANIZE ALL REMAINING ARTICLES AND STORE THEM ON SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR TO PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
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, Jun 10, 2024 · Original Source
License
Dec 11, 2023
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
4-602.11 OBSERVED A STAINED CUTTING BOARD WITH DARK GROOVES ATTACHED TO THE SMALL PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED BROWNISH SPOTS ON THE SIDE WALLS OF THE INTERIOR ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL OR REPLACE.
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
6-304.11 OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION AVAILABLE FOR THE ELECTRICAL BURNERS AND ELECTRICAL OVEN LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OR REMOVE SAID COOKING EQUIPMENT.
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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 11, 2023 · Original Source
License
Nov 21, 2023
Not Ready
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 21, 2023 · Original Source