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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Pollo Express Pilsen

1315 W 18th St

Last inspected Jun 17, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Jun 17, 2026

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING TO EAT SOMETHING AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLER NO EATING IN FOOD PREP AREA. HE DISCARDED FOOD ITEM CORRECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

LEAK AT FAUCET ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 17, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Sep 4, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

FOOD HANDLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS AND ANYONE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND HANDLING FOOD.

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

WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM). MAINTAIN SAME.

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

CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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

FLOOR TILES UNDER THE CHICKEN GRILL AND IN THE REAR BY THE TOILET ROOMS ARE DAMAGED/BROKEN. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND/OR REPLACE FLOOR TILES. MAINTAIN SAME. -DAMAGED WALL PANEL ACROSS FROM THE CHICKEN GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE WALL AND MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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, Sep 4, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 21, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED TWO FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A CAP OR HAIR NET. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES.

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 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

5-103.11(B) OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT WATER AT ALL SINKS; THE BEGINNING OF THE INSPECTION, HOT WATER RANGED FROM 70F-71F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND TOILET ROOMS AND AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ADEQUATE HOT WATER AT ALL SINKS AT ALL TIMES, HOT WATER MUST MAINTAIN 110F AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND 100F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION, ADEQUATE HOT WATER WAS RESTORED TO ALL SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUE 7-38-030(C).

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 15, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A HAIR NET OR A CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 15, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 5, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 5, 2024 · Original Source

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