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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

S2 Express Grill

420 S Clark St

Last inspected Apr 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

4 inspections

Canvass

Apr 16, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.

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 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, TACOS, HAMBURGERS) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGER ARRIVED ONSITE DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 PAPER TOWELS AT ANY OF THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND DRYING PROVISIONS AT ALL HAND SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C)

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 1 SMALL PAN OF SLICED TOMATOES 49.6F AND LETTUCE 50.2 INSIDE OF PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM STOVE. MANAGER DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY $5 OF PRODUCT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. 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 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED READY TO EAT, TCS FOODS (COOKED SWEET POTATOES) NOT PROPERLY DATED, STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED PAN WORTH APPROXIMATELY $200. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

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 ACCUMULATION OF GREASE INSIDE FRYER CABINET AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ON HOOD AND PIPING ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 16, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 4, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL DRINKS. ALL OPEN DRINKS ARE PROHIBITED IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO 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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

NOTED BOXES OF FROZEN CATFISH STORED ON FLOOR IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE, STORED INSIDE OF MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP TO PROPERLY AIR DRY 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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, Jun 4, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 27, 2025

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL DRINKS. ALL OPEN DRINKS ARE PROHIBITED IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO 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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT STORED ON 3 COMPARMENT SINK. FOUND INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF CHICKEN RANGING FROM 48.0FTO 52.7F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135.0F. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATIONI 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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

NOTED BOXES OF FROZEN CATFISH STORED ON FLOOR IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT TRASH MUST BE STORED INSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLES SO THAT THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO INSECTS AND RODENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE, STORED INSIDE OF MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP TO PROPERLY AIR DRY 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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, May 27, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 21, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

CAN OPENER WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAN 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

THE VENTS IN THE EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM WITH THICK DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. -INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS AND 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 21, 2024 · Original Source

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