Restaurant · Chicago, IL

New China Express, Inc

Name: New China Express, Inc
Address: 2101 E 71st St, Chicago, IL

2101 E 71st St

Last inspected Aug 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Fail

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when New China Express, Inc has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass

Aug 27, 2026

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE MACHINE IN KITCHEN WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED BLACK SUBSTANCE ON COOLER SHELVES AND COMPRESSOR IN WALK-IN COOLER INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SHELVING UNITS AND SURFACES.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON SURFACES UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN 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

NOTED SLOW DRAIN FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

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

NOTED FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 22, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OUTER APRON MUST BE REMOVE PRIOR TO ENTERING WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING WHERE WORN AND OR DISCOLORED INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

AIR DRYING RACK ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

AIR VENTS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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, Oct 22, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 15, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, WOK STATION AREA, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND SHELVING INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER UNIT, BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES, EXTERIOR SURFACE OF GREASE RECEPTOR AT SINK.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER, CLEAN CEILING VENTS IN KITCHEN AND WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST, CLEAN INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS IN KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST AND CLEAN ALL FLOOR DRAINS.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 15, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Jan 11, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER, PREP TABLES, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZERS AND ROLLING STORAGE CART AT WOK STATION. THE STORAGE SHELVES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER ARE UNCLEAN AND RUSTED; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND/OR REPLACE SHELVES.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, AT THREE COMP SINK AND BY ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. CLEAN FLOOR INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER UNDERNEATH THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENTS IN KITCHEN AREA WHERE NEEDED.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 11, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Jan 4, 2024

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

UNABLE TO PRODUCE SIGNED COPIES OF THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 ISSUED.

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

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RODENT ACTIVITY ON PREMISES. FOUND 40 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE SHELF UNDERNEATH THE STEAM TABLE IN THE FRONT SERVING AREA; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE DROPPINGS. PRIORITY FOUNDATON VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) ISSUED.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

NO NAME ON BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS IN KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN. (CORRECTED ON SITE).

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 4, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 28, 2023

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A FEW LARGE BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AT THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS THROUGH OUT ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE KITCHEN AND WALK IN COOLER

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 28, 2023 · Original Source