Taj Mahal Restaurant

• resultFail
• critical violations4
• last inspectedOctober 23, 2017
• address6406-6408 N Oakley Ave, Chicago 60645

Is Taj Mahal Restaurant clean?

Taj Mahal Restaurant is currently listed as closed by Chicago Department of Public Health, as of its inspection on October 23, 2017. A closure means inspectors found conditions serious enough to stop service — it is not the same as a restaurant choosing to shut down, and the listing can change once the problems are fixed and re-inspected.

What did inspectors find at Taj Mahal Restaurant?

These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on October 23, 2017, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.

• 🧼hand hygiene slippingcritical
  Hands Washed And Cleaned, Good Hygienic Practices; No Bare Hand Contact With Ready-To-Eat Foods. • POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES.OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WASHING HAND AFTER TOUCHING NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACE SUCH AS DELIVERIES, GARBAGE CANS, WIPING HAND ON THEIR GARMENTS, WIPING NOSE WITH HANDS THAN TOUCHED BREAD FROM INSIDE THE PLATE THAT HE WAS SERVING TO CUSTOMERS. MUST WASH HANDS AND GLOVE HANDS PRIOR TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOOD. WASH HANDS AFTER ANY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-010(A)
• 🚰handwashing sink issuescritical
  Sanitizing Rinse For Equipment And Utensils: Clean, Proper Temperature, Concentration, Exposure Time • NO SANITIZE SOLUTION PROVIDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. PRESENTLY EMPLOYEE WASHING, RINSING AND STORING DISHES, GLASSES UTENSILS ETC. NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT PROVIDED ON SITE. SANITARIAN SET-UP THIRD COMPARTMENT SINK WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION: 100ppm. SANITIZER SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER UTENSIL SANITATION. PROVIDE SANITIZER TEST STRIPS. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
• ❓food from a questionable sourcecritical
  Adequate Number, Convenient, Accessible, Designed, And Maintained • NO RUNNING HOT/COLD WATER PROVIDED AT EITHER EXPOSED HAND SINKS IN THE KITCHEN/DISH ROOM AREAS. ALSO FOUND STAFF/CUSTOMER WASHROOM WITH NO PAPER TOWELS. WASHBOWL OUTSIDE THE WASHROOM NO SOAP NOR PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED. UPON REQUEST HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER PROVIDED AT BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK. ALSO PAPER TOWELS PORVIDED AT BOTH WASH BOWLS. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
• ⚠️No Evidence Of Rodent Or Insect Infestation, No Birds, Turtles Or Other Animals • OBSERVED 6 ADULTS AND BABY LIVE ROACHES ON SITE ON WALL BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,BEHIND WATER PIPES,2 LIVE ROACHES ON FLOOR BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP.THREE LIVE ROACHES ON BASEBOARD WALL BEHIND THE METAL SHELF AT WEST SITE OF THE KITCHEN;ONE ROACH BEHIND THE ELECTRICAL BOX.A LARGE BLACK ROACH ON FLOOR INSIDE THE WASHROOM.LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF PREMISES. OVER 75 SMALL LIVE FLIES ON FRESH PARSLEY STORED IN WATER AT REAR AREA,OVER TEN FLIES ON WALL BY THE MOP SINK,5 FLIES ON WALL INSIDE THE WASHROOM.OVER 20 ON WALL AND BY THE LOCKED WHITE SOUTH DOOR OF REAR AREA.FEW FLIES SCATTERED AT FRONT PREP AREA. OVER 300 MICE MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES: ON TOP FOOD BAGS AT REAR STORAGE AREA, BROWN BAGS,ON SHELVES BY THE FOOD AND CLEAN UTENSILS IN THE KITCHEN,UNDER PREP TABLES IN THE KITCHEN,BY AND UNDER THE STEAM TABLES.INSIDE THE PIZZA OVEN AT LAST SHELF,INSIDE THE DEEP FRYER,IN THE KITCHEN.DROPPING AT BASE OF THE COUNTER WERE CASH REGISTER IS LOCATED. DROPPINGS ON SHELF OF THE DESK AT FRONT DINING AREA, DROPPINGS SCATTERED AT FRONT WINDOWS IN DINING AREA.FOUND SOUTH DOORS WIDE OPENED, AND SCREEN DOOR IN POOR REPAIR: MESH BROKEN HOLES, GAP OF 1" TO 2" AT BOTTOM AND 2"TO 3" TOP PART OF THE SCREEN DOOR, ALSO SCREEN NOT TIGHT FITTED TO DOOR FRAME. NEED TO REPAIR/REPLACE MESH. SCREEN DOOR MUST BE INSECT/RODENT PROOF. NEED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLIES, ROACHES. REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS. ,MUST SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRESENTLY NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE. MUST HAVE PREMISES SERVICED BY A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND PROVIDE A COMPLETE LOG BOOK. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-020critical
  No Evidence Of Rodent Or Insect Infestation, No Birds, Turtles Or Other Animals • OBSERVED 6 ADULTS AND BABY LIVE ROACHES ON SITE ON WALL BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,BEHIND WATER PIPES,2 LIVE ROACHES ON FLOOR BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP.THREE LIVE ROACHES ON BASEBOARD WALL BEHIND THE METAL SHELF AT WEST SITE OF THE KITCHEN;ONE ROACH BEHIND THE ELECTRICAL BOX.A LARGE BLACK ROACH ON FLOOR INSIDE THE WASHROOM.LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF PREMISES. OVER 75 SMALL LIVE FLIES ON FRESH PARSLEY STORED IN WATER AT REAR AREA,OVER TEN FLIES ON WALL BY THE MOP SINK,5 FLIES ON WALL INSIDE THE WASHROOM.OVER 20 ON WALL AND BY THE LOCKED WHITE SOUTH DOOR OF REAR AREA.FEW FLIES SCATTERED AT FRONT PREP AREA. OVER 300 MICE MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES: ON TOP FOOD BAGS AT REAR STORAGE AREA, BROWN BAGS,ON SHELVES BY THE FOOD AND CLEAN UTENSILS IN THE KITCHEN,UNDER PREP TABLES IN THE KITCHEN,BY AND UNDER THE STEAM TABLES.INSIDE THE PIZZA OVEN AT LAST SHELF,INSIDE THE DEEP FRYER,IN THE KITCHEN.DROPPING AT BASE OF THE COUNTER WERE CASH REGISTER IS LOCATED. DROPPINGS ON SHELF OF THE DESK AT FRONT DINING AREA, DROPPINGS SCATTERED AT FRONT WINDOWS IN DINING AREA.FOUND SOUTH DOORS WIDE OPENED, AND SCREEN DOOR IN POOR REPAIR: MESH BROKEN HOLES, GAP OF 1" TO 2" AT BOTTOM AND 2"TO 3" TOP PART OF THE SCREEN DOOR, ALSO SCREEN NOT TIGHT FITTED TO DOOR FRAME. NEED TO REPAIR/REPLACE MESH. SCREEN DOOR MUST BE INSECT/RODENT PROOF. NEED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLIES, ROACHES. REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS. ,MUST SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRESENTLY NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE. MUST HAVE PREMISES SERVICED BY A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND PROVIDE A COMPLETE LOG BOOK. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-020
• 🌡️hot/cold holding temps off
  * Certified Food Manager On Site When Potentially Hazardous Foods Are Prepared And Served • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER, NOR A VALID CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE, WHILE POTENTIALL HAZARDOUS FOOD ARE HANDLED AND SERVED: HUMMS,MIXED COOKED VEGETABLE ETC. AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZRDOUS FOOD ARE HANDLED AND CERTICATE(S) DISPLAYED. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-012(A)
• 🧪toxic chemicals mishandled
  Previous Minor Violation(S) Corrected 7-42-090 • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 1-23-2017,REPORT #1981848 #38-HANDLES AT EXPOSED HAND SINK BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR,NOT EASILY TO OPEN /CLOSE HANDLES,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. #45-NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON PREMISES,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE,INFORMATION GIVEN HOW TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATE. TODAY OBSERVED SAME VIOLATIONS SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-090
• ⚠️Food In Original Container, Properly Labeled: Customer Advisory Posted As Needed • LABEL FOOD STORED INSIDE THE COOLERS HELD FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS WITH DATE OF PREPARATION
  Food In Original Container, Properly Labeled: Customer Advisory Posted As Needed • LABEL FOOD STORED INSIDE THE COOLERS HELD FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS WITH DATE OF PREPARATION
• ⚠️Clean Multi-Use Utensils And Single Service Articles Properly Stored: No Reuse Of Single Service Articles • UTENSILS FOR CUSTOMER USE MUST BE INVERTED ,POT AND PANS ALSO MUST BE STORED INVERTED ON SHELVES.
  Clean Multi-Use Utensils And Single Service Articles Properly Stored: No Reuse Of Single Service Articles • UTENSILS FOR CUSTOMER USE MUST BE INVERTED ,POT AND PANS ALSO MUST BE STORED INVERTED ON SHELVES.
• ⚠️Food And Non-Food Contact Surfaces Properly Designed, Constructed And Maintained • REMOVE ALL ALUMINUM FOILS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN AND STORAGE: SHELVES, UNDER SHELVES, AT BURNERS AND ABOVE THE BURNERS. PREP COOLER CUTTING BOARD WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
  Food And Non-Food Contact Surfaces Properly Designed, Constructed And Maintained • REMOVE ALL ALUMINUM FOILS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN AND STORAGE: SHELVES, UNDER SHELVES, AT BURNERS AND ABOVE THE BURNERS. PREP COOLER CUTTING BOARD WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
• 🧫food prep surfaces dirty
  Food And Non-Food Contact Equipment Utensils Clean, Free Of Abrasive Detergents • GREASE ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENTS: UNDER BURNERS, INSIDE THE CABINET OF DEEP FRYER. NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. RUBBER GASKET WITH FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE THE TWO DOOR OF REACH-IN COOLER UNDER PREP COOLER. ENCRUSTED FOOD INSIDE THE MICROWAVES. GRIMES ON FILTERS, HOOD, SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. DEBRIS ON SURFACES OF COOLERS/FREEZERS, HANDLES, DOOR KNOBS AND DOORS THROUGHOUT. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
• ⚠️Floors: Constructed Per Code, Cleaned, Good Repair, Coving Installed, Dust-Less Cleaning Methods Used • BROKEN FLOOR TILES AT FRONT NORTH WINDOW BY THE BREAD OVEN,ALSO BROKEN FLOOR UNDER RUBBER MATS AT FRONT OF THE TWO REACH-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE SAID TILES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
  Floors: Constructed Per Code, Cleaned, Good Repair, Coving Installed, Dust-Less Cleaning Methods Used • BROKEN FLOOR TILES AT FRONT NORTH WINDOW BY THE BREAD OVEN,ALSO BROKEN FLOOR UNDER RUBBER MATS AT FRONT OF THE TWO REACH-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE SAID TILES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
• ⚠️Walls, Ceilings, Attached Equipment Constructed Per Code: Good Repair, Surfaces Clean And Dust-Less Cleaning Methods • HOLES ON WALL ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, MUST SEAL HOLES. FOOD LIQUID SPILLAGE ON CEILING ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, REPLACE. BLACK SUBSTANCE ON WALL TILE BY COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DUST ON SCREEN DOOR. NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  Walls, Ceilings, Attached Equipment Constructed Per Code: Good Repair, Surfaces Clean And Dust-Less Cleaning Methods • HOLES ON WALL ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, MUST SEAL HOLES. FOOD LIQUID SPILLAGE ON CEILING ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, REPLACE. BLACK SUBSTANCE ON WALL TILE BY COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DUST ON SCREEN DOOR. NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
• 🌡️thermometers missing
  Lighting: Required Minimum Foot-Candles Of Light Provided, Fixtures Shielded • LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WITH DEBRIS,NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
• 🪳pests in the house
  Ventilation: Rooms And Equipment Vented As Required: Plumbing: Installed And Maintained • LEAKING PLUMBING UNDER BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINKS IN THE KITCHEN AND IN WASHROOM. NEED TO REPAIR. OBSERVED REPACKING "PAN" AT DINING ROOM FRONT COUNTER. NO EXPOSED HAND SINK IN AREA. MUST INSTALL EXPOSED HAND SINK OR REMOVE ALL PAN PREPARATION INGREDIENTS AND SUPPLIES.
• ⚠️Refrigeration And Metal Stem Thermometers Provided And Conspicuous • STEM THERMOMETER IS NEEDED AT PREP AREA TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE
  Refrigeration And Metal Stem Thermometers Provided And Conspicuous • STEM THERMOMETER IS NEEDED AT PREP AREA TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE
• ⚠️Food Handler Requirements Met • EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA.MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA AT ALL TIMES
  Food Handler Requirements Met • EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA.MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA AT ALL TIMES

When was Taj Mahal Restaurant last inspected?

Taj Mahal Restaurant has 4 inspections on record going back to January 17, 2017.

Taj Mahal Restaurant vs West Ridge

West Ridge runs 29% clean across 966 tracked restaurants — 279 clean, 73 mid, 612 cooked.

Against the 966 spots Cooked tracks in West Ridge, this one comes out cleaner than 0% of them.

Other spots in West Ridge

• ✓! Cafe Salimon
  cooked · December 1, 2017
• ✓ New Hong Kong Buffet
  clean · June 22, 2026
• ✓ Lahore Food & Grill
  cooked · January 21, 2021
• ✓ Juliana Restaurant
  clean · August 4, 2025
• ✓ Juliana Restaurant
  clean · March 29, 2017
• ✓ Yaseen Zabiha Halal Meat And Grocers
  clean · August 25, 2021

See every restaurant inspection in West Ridge →

How Chicago grades restaurants

Chicago does not use letter grades. Every inspection ends in one of three official results: Pass, Pass with Conditions, or Fail. Pass with Conditions means violations were found but corrected on the spot or under a deadline — the restaurant is open, with homework. A Fail means serious violations went uncorrected, and it usually brings a re-inspection within days. Chicago also flags “priority” violations, the ones most likely to actually make someone sick. Cooked reads Pass as clean, Pass with Conditions as mid, and Fail as cooked, and shows the itemized violations behind each result.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health via Chicago Data Portal. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated October 23, 2017. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.