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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Italian Express

2447 W Devon Ave

Last inspected Mar 7, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Mar 7, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 1/2 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS. MUST CLEAN COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

MENS WASHROOM HANDWASH SINK PIPE DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MENS WASHROOM SINK MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SMALL HOLES IN WALL BY POTATOE FRIES CUTTER. MUST SEAL HOLES IN WALL.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

SOME FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES HAVE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO UPDATE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 7, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Aug 16, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 16, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 6, 2024

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FORM 9-8-2023, REPORT #2581427: #39) 3-305.11: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN. #47) 4-501.11: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS OF THREE DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET. #47) 4-501.12:OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN. #55) 6-501.114: OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ITEMS, KEEP THEM CLEAN ORGANIZED, AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. WE OBSERVED COOKED 5 EACH(5 POUNDS EACH) ROAST BEEF AT TEMP OF 110.8F TO 115.9F.RAW MARINATE CHICKEN(10 POUNDS)AT TEMP OF 50.7F,ALSO STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY THE MANAGER.POUNDS 35,VALUE 115. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

STEM THERMOMETER PROVIDED ON SITE, HOWEVER BROKEN NOT ABLE TO TURN IT ON. NOT ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A STEM WORKING THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

DRY FOOD STORED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER ON SHELF UNDER PIZZA PREP TABLE MUST BE LABELD WITH COMMON NAME.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

MALE EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED USED CLOTHS STORED ON TOP PREP TABLE AND CUTTING BOARDS AREA MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OUTSIDE REFUSE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ON CEMENT GROUND AND BRICK WALL.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO MINIMIZER PEST AND INSECTS.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 6, 2024 · Original Source

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