Pass

Taste Bud

4123 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60624

Restaurant ZIP 60624 Risk 2 (Medium)

Passed · as of Feb 18, 2026

Taste Bud was last inspected on February 18, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 6 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

February 18, 2026 · Complaint

Pass

Result: Pass

1 critical5 general
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

    Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing signs at handwashing sinks inside washrooms. Instructed manager to provide handwashing signs at all handwashing sinks used by employees.

    Official wording (code 10)

    Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

  • GeneralPests

    Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

    Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4" gap at bottom and left corner of front entrance door. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on door to prevent pest entry.

    Official wording (code 38)

    Insects, rodents, & animals not present

  • GeneralFood handling

    Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed disposable cups stored on floor and disposable utensils not inverted. Instructed manager to elevate and invert all single service articles to protect from contamination.

    Official wording (code 45)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed soiled water in mop pail and mop heads stored on floor. Instructed manager to remove all soiled water and hang mop heads to dry to prevent insect breeding.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floor along walls and corners in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed openings along ceiling in dry storage area. Instructed manager to seal all openings and maintain.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

12 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical5 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no signed employee health policies on site for all food and conditional employees. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-010. No citation issued. Documents provided.

      Official wording (code 3)

      Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

    • CriticalManagement & training

      No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no written clean up policy or items outlined in policy available on site for responding to vomit and diaarheal events that can occur in the food establishment. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. No citation issued. Document provided.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no metal stem thermometer on site for testing the internal temperatures of food. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. No citation issued.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Observed ice scooper stored inside ice bin during time of inspection. Instructed to remove and properly store to prevent contamination of ice. Must maintain.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed hand-sink in rear prep area slow draining as well as hot water handle spinning around. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dried food debris on floors in rear prep area near potato prep. Especially underneath large equipment. Must clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed large hole in ceiling above rear food prep area. Instructed to enclose and maintain premises.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Conditional

    Short Form Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical Show violations
    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

      Inspector’s note: No soap found at exposed hand sink in front food prep area, nor at washbowl in rear food prep area, and in female employees washroom. Must keep soap at all hand washing facilities at all times. Critical violation 7-38-030 critical violation.

  3. Conditional

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical5 general Show violations
    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

      Inspector’s note: Upon entry to business observed cook handling ready to eat foods(bread and cheese) with bare hands. Must use gloves, utensils or white tiisue paper when handling ready to eat foods. Critical violation 7-38-010(a)

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

      Inspector’s note: No certified mgr. On premises at start of investigation while potentially hazardous foods(hot sandwiches) were being prepared and served. Serious violation 7-38-012(a).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Clean all unclean storage shelves underneath prep tables, all cooking equpment in rear food prep area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Clean dirt and stains from walls where present. Replace greasy filters above cooking equipment in front food prep area. Seal openings in baseboards in rear

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Clean dust build-up from exhaust vents in washroom.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Must properly store ice scoop for consumable ice in a clean container protected from contamination.

  4. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    1 critical7 general Show violations
    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

      Inspector’s note: Observed cook handle meat, onions, bell peppers, french fries, bread, and cheese with bare hands. Must use gloves, utensils or white tissue paper when handling uncovered foods. No bare hand contact with ready to eat foods. Critical violation 7-38-010(a).

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: Improper pest control noted on premises. Mice droppings found in the following areas: 15 on storage shelves with clean cooking equipment in rear food prep area, 35 scattered on floors throughout all rear sections of the establishment, along the bases of the walls, on top of base boards, in corners, underneath and behind coolers, freezers, prep tables and all other heavy equipment throughout rear. Must clean and sanitize all affected areas, seal up all cracks and openings in floors, walls, and ceilings throughout and repair front outside door(large gap greater than 1 inch along the bottom west side of the door), the front interior door(greater than 1 inch along the west side of the door), and the rear exit door(greater than 1/4 inch across the bottom of the door. Serious violation 7-38-020.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock

      Inspector’s note: No chemical test kit for dish washing area on premises at time of investigation. Serious violation 7-38-030.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Clean all unclean storage shelves underneath prep tables, all cooking equpment in rear food prep area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Detail clean all floorsthroughout along all bases ofthe walls, in corners, underneath and behind all heavy equipment(remove debris, droppings).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Clean dirt and stains from walls where present. Replace greasy filters above cooking equipment in front food prep area. Seal openings in baseboards in rear.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Clean dust build-up from exhaust vents in washroom.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Must properly store ice scoop for consumable ice in a clean container protected from contamination.

  5. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Detail clean the interior of the ice machine.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: No light shields provided on the light fixtures in the food prep areas and the walk-in cooler. Must install.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food handler requirements met

      Inspector’s note: All food handling employees must show proof of food handler training. Must provide.

  6. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: Observed live fruit flies on the walls and ceiling of the rear food prep area, women's washroom and rear storage area. Approximately 25 live fruit flies were observed in this area. Also, the front entrance door is not rodent proofed with a 1/2" gap along the bottom of the front door. Management instructed to minimize or eliminate the pest activity and rodent proof all outer openings. Serious violation 7-38-020.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Detail clean the interior of the ice machine and ventilation hood and filters.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: No light shields provided on the light fixtures in the food prep areas and the walk-in cooler. Must install.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food handler requirements met

      Inspector’s note: All food handling employees must show proof of food handler training. Must provide.

  7. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must clean the interior of all coolers and freezers to remove spills and debris.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Must clean the floor behind heavy equipment to remove debris.

  8. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must clean bottom of fryers to remove grease buildup.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Must clean floors in rear utility closet room and under cooking equipment front prep area.

  9. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

      Inspector’s note: Found large standing ice machine has black substance and lime buildup inside the unit. Food not protected. Must clean and sanitize the unit. Fax a letter to the department of public health and an inspector will remove the tag. Do not use the ice machine. Unit has been tagged. Serious citation given 7-38-005(a).

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: The front door and back screen door have a one inch gap at the bottome of the doors. Must make the doors tight fitting and rodent proofed. Serious citation given 7-38-020.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must clean bottom of fryers to remove grease buildup

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Clean floor in rear utility closet room and under cooking equipment.

  10. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Clean bottom of fryers to remove dust observed.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR UTILITY CLOSET ROOM AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Instructed on proper storage of wet mops (mop head stored upward) and instructed to organize utility closet.

  11. Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

More in ZIP 60624

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.