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RUMAN CHAI SHAI & RESTAURANT

6348 N ARTESIAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

RUMAN CHAI SHAI & RESTAURANT has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 19, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 16, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 13 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2026. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 16, 2026. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

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.

8 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS NEEDED IN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MANAGER PROVIDED HAND SOAP AT MY REQUEST. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS MUST HAVE HAND SOAP AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA/DISHWASHING AREA. MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS AT MY REQUEST. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS MUST HAVE HAND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)NO CITATION ISSUED. VIOLATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS NEEDED IN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF ROACH ACTIVITY ON PREMISES. OBSERVED TWO LIVE SMALL ROACHES CRAWLING ON WALL BEHIND EXPOSED HAND WASHING AND 3-COMPARTMET SINK IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA AND ONE ON WALL BEHIND FOOD STORAGE SHELVING LOCATED IN THE MAIN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED ABOVE TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND WHENEVER NEEDED. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IMPROPERLY STORED, BAGS OF ONIONS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST ELEVATE FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES, EQUIPMENT AND ON DISHWASHING FACIITIES. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE SMALL FREEZER LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE ICE AND CLEAN FREEZER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON WALL UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILETRS ABOVE COOKING EQUIMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND MISSING AND TORN CEILING TILES INSIDE STORAGE ROOM.MUST REPLACE.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MOP SINK DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN MOP SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • VENTILATION HOOD WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FOR THE MOPSINK FAUCET IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHTSHIELDS AND MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN LIGHTSHIED WITH DEAD INSECTS ABOVE KITCHEN PREP AREA.
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • UNLABELED FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST LABEL ALL FOOD IN CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 7 LIVE ROACHES ON PREMISES AT PREP AREAS AND 8 RODENT DROPPINGS IN FRYER CABINET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REMOVE ALL ROACHES AND RODENT DROPPINGS. ELIMINATE ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). HAVE PREMISES SERVICED BY PEST CONTROL COMPANY.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • NO SPLASH GUARDS ON MOP SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND FOOD EQUIPMENT & SHELVES. MUST INSTALL WASHABLE SPLASH GUARDS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MICROWAVES NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS, UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND THE COOKING LINE. ACCUMULATED AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVES, RACKS, GREASE TRAP, SINKS, FOOD CONTAINERS AND COOLERS/FREEZERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MOP SINK WAS REMOVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST RE-INSTALL MOP SINK WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER, AND A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE, ON PREMISES.
  7. Complaint

    17 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED -
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON SITE. ONLY A COLOR COPY IS POSTED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE(S). AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED WITH ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO PAPER TOWELS WERE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN, WASHROOM AND WASHBOWL IN THE DINING AREA FOR CUSTOMERS. MUST PROVIDE DISPOSABLE TOWELS AT ALL HAND SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO SIGNAGE INSTRUCTING EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL HAND SINKS. MUST POST SIGNAGE.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING, RINSING AND THEN STORING MULTI-USE UTENSILS: POTS, CONTAINERS ETC. AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. NO SANITIZING SOLUTION USED AT THIRD COMPARTMENT SINK. SANITARIAN CORRECTED ISSUE AND SET UP THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. SANITIZER SOLUTION AT THIRD COMPARTMENT, 100ppm. THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE SET-UP PROPERLY FOR WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE OF MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • UNLABELED FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST LABEL ALL FOOD IN CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • PEST INFESTATION. OBSERVED NUMEROUS LIVE ROACHES, OVER 100, IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF PREMISES: DINING AREA ON CUSTOMER USE HANDWASHING WASHBOWL AND ON DINING TABLES, ON FLOORS UNDER THE DOOR BETWEEN DINING AND KITCHEN, UNDER AND INSIDE THE POP REACH COOLER IN RUBBER GASKET AT SAME AREA. ROACHES INSIDE THE PLASTIC GRAY CONTAINER WITH CLEAN UTENSILS UNDER PREP TABLES AND INSIDE OF CAN OPENER. ON WALLS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, CRAWLING ALL OVER INCLUDED INSIDE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSIDE AND AROUND HANDWASHING SINKS. ON TOP CUTTING BOARDS. INSIDE RUBBER GASKET OF REACH-IN COOLER IN PREP AREA. WHEN MOVED THE PLASTIC CONTAINER OF DRY SPICES ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLE ROACHES SCATTERED ALL OVER THE TABLES. FOUR HOUSEFLIES ON SITE IN THE PREP AREA. LANDING ON PREP TABLES AND IN-USE CUTTING BOARDS. RODENT DROPPINGS IN KITCHEN ABOVE THE SHELF UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE ROOM UNDER SHELVES BY THE WASHROOM (APPROX. 80 RODENT DROPPINGS). MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL TO SERVICE PREMISES. MUST CLEAN ALL SURFACES, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, SHELVES, RACKS ETC. AND SEAL ALL CRACKS AND CREVICES. ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • NO SPLASH GUARDS ON MOP SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND FOOD EQUIPMENT & SHELVES. MUST INSTALL WASHABLE SPLASH GUARDS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED CLEAN FOOD CONTAINERS STORED INSIDE THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE: WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE MENTIONED UTENSILS. MOP SINK IS ONLY DESIGNATED FOR WASHING MOPS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MICROWAVES NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARDS ARE STAINED AND UNCLEAN. MUST REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS, UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND THE COOKING LINE. ACCUMULATED AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVES, RACKS, GREASE TRAP, SINKS, FOOD CONTAINERS AND COOLERS/FREEZERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • GREASE, LITTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS AND WALLS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OPENING ON WALLS BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CAULK SMOOTLY BEHIND THE HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  8. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE/PLAN AND KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE BOX FREEZERS. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS. MUST REPLACE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • WOOD PLATFORM UNDER THE GRILL AT REAR PREP AREA MUST BE REMOVED.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ADDITIONAL CLEANING IS REQUIRED INSIDE THE OVENS.

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