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TAJ MAHAL

2441 N HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TAJ MAHAL has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 17, 2013. The most recent inspection, on December 1, 2015, found no infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2015. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 December 15, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2014. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 10 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2015. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2015. For example: LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

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

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FILTER ON THE HOOD WITH DUST AND GREASE BUILD-UP ON THE COOK LINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • ALL LIGHT BULBS IN THE PREP AREA HAS NO LIGHT SHIELD. MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD AND END CAPS.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE MISSING THERMOMETER IN THE ONE DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND TWO DOOR REACH IN COOLER .
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT # 1512715 DATED,12/5/14. BASEMENT STILL HAVE RODENT DROPPINGS APPROXIMATELY OVER 30 TOTAL. CITATION ISSUED CRITICAL 7-42-090. OWNER OF THE BUILDING CAME WITH EMPLOYEES AND STARTED CLEANING THE BASEMENT. REMOVING ALL LEFT OVER RODENT DROPPINGS AND SANITIZED THE AFFECTED AREAS DURING INSPECTION. BASEMENT IS NOW FREE OF RODENT DROPPINGS AFFECTED AREAS WERE SANITIZED ALSO.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • Upgraded to critical.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH READY TO EAT FOOD INSIDE THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND WALK IN COOLER MUST HAVE A LABEL AND DATE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD AND ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A SHELF LINER.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.( NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER OUTSIDE THE COOLER).
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST STORE WASH CLOTH FOR WIPING PREP TABLES, DINING TABLES IN A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND EVIDENCE OF RAT DROPPINGS INSIDE THE FURNACE ROOM AND IN THE BASEMENT OVER 100 TOTAL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN DETAIL, REMOVE THE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-020.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE OF SANITATION POSTED ON SITE. SHAHEENA ISLAM TOOK THE EXAM LAST 1/4/14 ,PAST 11 MONTHS ALREADY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE OF SANITATION AND POST IT ON SITE. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-012.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH READY TO EAT FOOD INSIDE THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND WALK IN COOLER MUST HAVE A LABEL AND DATE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD AND ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A SHELVE LINER.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND SANITIZE INSIDE BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND ONE DOOR REACH IN COOLER,WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MAITAIN. ALSO CLEAN ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.( NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER OUTSIDE THE COOLER).
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST STORE WASH CLOTHS FOR WIPING PREP TABLES,DINING TABLES IN A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
  5. License

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • RUSTED WIRE RACK SHELVINGS OF THE REACH IN COOLER AND REACH IN FREEZER. MUST REPLACE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL COVING 4" THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND COOKING AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE 2 MORE DRAIN STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,ORGANIZE,ELEVATE ALL ARTICLES OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT/INSECTS HARBORAGE.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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