Canvass
Mar 12, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 12, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Tom Yum Cafe
608 W Barry Ave
Last inspected Mar 12, 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
3 inspectionsComplaint
Sep 22, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
9 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA BLOCKED WITH CUTTING BOARD, PLATES AND SPOONS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE HAND WASHING SINK IS ONLY USED FOR HANDWASHING AND ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS FROM BLOCKING HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
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 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD ISBEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
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 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION 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 problemsnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ITEMS STORED IN FRONT PREP AREA NOT ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AT ALL TIMES.
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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN A GOOD REPAIR.
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 EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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
MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES
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, Sep 22, 2025 · Original Source
License
Jul 15, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
7 recorded violations
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO 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 5Other
Official wording
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARREAL EVENTS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE UPRIGHT FREEZER. MUST REMOVE ICE AND CLEAN FREEZER.
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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN A GOOD REPAIR.
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 MECHANICAL VENTILATION UNOPERABLE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
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 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
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, Jul 15, 2025 · Original Source