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ELI TEA BAR

5507 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60640 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ELI TEA BAR has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 21, 2022. The most recent inspection, on January 26, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 8, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 8, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on January 8, 2024. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on January 8, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on April 21, 2022. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • SOME FOOD HANDLERS WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. NEW EMPLOYEES HAVE 30 DAYS FROM HIRE TO OBTAIN PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER’S TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • (1) CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  3. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL CALCIUM BUILD-UP.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL PREP AND REACH-IN COOLERS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (BROWN SUGAR, WHITE SUGAR ETC) IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR, REAR EXIT DOOR AND IN BASEMENT DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE MOPSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED SMALL LEAK AT THE BOTTOM OF GREASE BOX UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • (2) TOILET ROOM DOORS MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  4. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED. THE PREMISES SERVES TCS FOODS: MILK, COOKED RICE, ETC. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THEY MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN POST CERTIFICATES VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THREE HOLES IN THE CEILING IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE SMOOTHLY TO SEAL HOLES AND MAINTAIN THEM IN GOOD REPAIR.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED 1/2 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 OBSERVED CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR OR REMOVE THEM.
  6. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON-PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS-MILK IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED ABOVE TO OPERATE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS MILK IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. ALSO, THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY THE NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • THERE IS NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISE AT THIS TIME. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • THERE IS NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE OR CLEAN-UP ITEMS ON-PREMISE. MUST PROVIDE NECESSARY ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND TCS FOOD MILK HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE AT 48 F INSIDE MILK THREE-DOOR COOLER AND SAMOSA HELD AT 61.5 F ON TOP OF THREE-DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. ALL SAID OUT OF TEMPERATURE TCS FOODS ARE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED PREP THREE-DOOR COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT 45.0 F, FOUND MILK INSIDE SAID COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THREE-DOOR MILK COOLER MUST BE REPAIRED. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • THERE ARE NO PEST LOGBOOK ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK FROM A LICENSED ILLINOIS PEST CONTROL OPERATOR ON-PREMISE BY THE DAY OF RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/2 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR OR REMOVE THEM.

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