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Grocery Store · Chicago, IL

Pullman Express Food & Deli

11858 S State St

Last inspected May 29, 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

7 inspections

Complaint

May 29, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A FLY STRIP HANGING ABOVE THE REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND REFRAIN FROM HANGING FLY STRIPS IN PREP AREAS. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS WITH A THICK BUILD UP OF GREASE DIRT AND CHARRED MATERIALS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS.

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

WALLS AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS WITH DIRT, FOOD AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, GREASE, DIRT AND DEBRIS. FLOOR DRAINS UNDER THE 3-COMP. SINK AND IN FRONT OF THE WALK IN COOLER WITH THICK BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

FOUND VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE, DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FILTERS.

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, May 29, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 20, 2026

Pass

8 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

NO HAND-WASHING SIGNAGE AT ANY OF THE HAND-WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND VISIBLY DISPLAY SIGNAGE AT HAND WASHING SINKS. MAINTAIN SAME.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

CUT FRUIT IN THE DISPLAY COOLER AND ARE NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL TO DISCLOSE WHEN CUT AND WHEN IT MUST BE SOLD BY 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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

WIPING CLOTH STORED ON CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. 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

LARGE CAN OPENER IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.

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

THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS WITH A THICK BUILD UP OF GREASE DIRT AND CHARRED MATERIALS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS.

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

LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAK AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

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

WALLS AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS WITH DIRT, FOOD AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, GREASE, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

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

VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE, DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FILTERS.

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, Feb 20, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 9, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 2, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.13 OBSERVED FACILITY INSTALLING THEIR OWN FLY LIGHT DEVICES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ONLY ALLOW PEST CONTROL TO INSTALL ALL INSECT CONTROL DEVICES.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING RE-USED AS A SHELF LINING. INSTRUCTED TO NOT RE-USE CARDBOARD, ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED INTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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

6-501.114 OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AND FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND.

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, Jun 2, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 13, 2024

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 13, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 23, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

12 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MAANGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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

OBSERVED FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SINKS, BEVERAGE MACHINES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD (BEEF 180.1F) PREPARED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION 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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINLS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER HAND WASHING SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA. OBSERVED TOILET NOT FLUSHING PROPERLY IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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

OBSERVED FOOD SPILLS ON WALLS UNDER REAR HAND WASHING SINK, FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

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, Aug 23, 2024 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Oct 4, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source

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