KAYAO
1252 N WELLS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60610 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
KAYAO has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 16, 2024. The most recent inspection, on May 6, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.
2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 4, 2025. For example:
REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
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 May 6, 2026. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
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 once on May 16, 2024. For example:
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 6, 2026. For example:
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 4, 2025. For example:
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
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.
5 inspections
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- OBSERVED THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT FLOOR IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER THE SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE COLD PREP/SERVICE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED THE FLOOR AT THE BAR AREA UNDER THE EQUIPMENT ALONG THE WALL IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
- 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.
- 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
- 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
- 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
- Non-Inspection
0 infractions
- License
0 infractions
- License
5 infractions
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN SMALL COLD HOLDING UNITS IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMTERS IN ALL SMALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.
- 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
- OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- 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.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- 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.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED CORRISON OF BROWN AND BEIGE METAL FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR METAL FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER SO THAT THEY SHALL BE SMOOTH, DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
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