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TE' AMO BOBA BAR

1115 E 55TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60615 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TE' AMO BOBA BAR has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 18, 2017. The most recent inspection, on August 27, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

1 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 27, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 once on August 20, 2025. 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 once on December 18, 2017. For example: SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

  • 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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  2. Complaint

    14 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, DINING AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TESK KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SPILLS ON WALLS, FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING GROUT ON FLOOR AND WALL TILES, LOOSE AND MISSING BASEBOARDS ALONG WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP STORED IN MOP PAIL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY NOT POSTED AND VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY SHALL BE POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B) CITATION ISSUED
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED THE PIC WITHOUT A CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVERD. ALSO NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN A CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES AND CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATON #7-38-012 ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING PROPER HAIR RESTRAIN IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTIAN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS, CLEAN COUNTER TOPS, EXTERIOR OF JAR AND/OR CONTAINER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS. ALSO DEFROST AND CLEAN INTERIOR OF DEEP FREEZERS TO REMOVE ICE BUILD UP AND DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN POOR REPAIR IN THE FRONT PREP AREA(MISSING AND/OR BROKEN UP). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. ALSO REPAIR BASE BOARD WHERE NEEDED IN THE DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS, FLOOR DRAINS AND WALLS THROUGH OUT PREP AND STORAGE AREAS TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER PIPES ABOVE THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY COVERED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN PROPER COVERING. DROP CEILING OR ENCASE PIPES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE LEAKING AND/OR CONTAMINATION OF FOOD.
  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE
  6. License

    2 infractions

    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO ADEQUATELY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.

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