China Express 168
Last inspected: Dec 24, 2025
86
Score
Across the available record, China Express 168 has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2017. On Dec 24, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly seven violations earlier in the record.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded eight times in the inspection record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 24, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING (2 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED, WOK STATION AS WELL AS ALONGSIDE FRYER INCLUDING COILS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP AND FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT FREE OF ACCUMULATED BUILD UP.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE PUDDLES OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH WOK STATION AND FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID AREA IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
57
86
Apr 23, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE STOVE AND AROUND THE WORKS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENT CONTAINERS, RACKS, AND SHELVING WITH FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC. AND REMOVE DUST, GREASE, AND DIRT BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL LARGE FOOD CONTAINERS WITH DRY PRODUCTS. (RICE, SALT SUGAR, ONION POWDER, PEPPER ) WITHOUT PROPER COMMON FOOD NAME MARKINGS. MUST LABEL BULK AND WORKING FOOD CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS COMMON NAME. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION IN THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDES APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL.
47
78
Apr 6, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-305.11- OBSERVED FOOD BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD STORAGE ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17-INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR EMPLOYEE TOILER ROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12- MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
55
86
Mar 27, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: �OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS . INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA UNDER THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD STORAGE ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR EMPLOYEE TOILER ROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
55
61
Mar 31, 2022
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRY GOODS STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT NAME OF ITEM INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER; INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (FRYERS, WOK STATION, HOT HOLDING UNIT), BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF REFRIGERATION UNITS, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS WHERE NEEDED, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, CEILING TILE AND VENTS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED, LIGHT SHIELDS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED, WALLS AT MOP SINK AREA AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOUND EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS UPDATE CERTIFICATES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO PRODUCE TWO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR TWO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES.
58
74
Jul 28, 2021
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINETS,STEAM TABLE,PREP TABLES,WOK STATION,PREP COOLER,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE BUCKETS USED FOR GARBAGE CANS AND PROVIDE GARBAGE CAN WITH LID.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT,WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL BASES NEAR REAR DOOR AND WHERE NEEDED.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP AT FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
70
Jan 8, 2020
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE UNUSED WIPING CLOTHS IN ADEQUATE CHEMICAL SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES FOR WASHROOM USED BY FEMALE EMPLOYEES.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE, CORNERS AT REAR UNDER SHELVING.
55
86
Apr 10, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND NO CITATION ISSUED MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED ( ,FISH, CHICKEN, COOKED BEEF, ETC.) STORED INSIDE THE WALK IN AND FRONT PREP REACH IN COOLER. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE PROPERLY LABELED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
23
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010
3
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND NO WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN SANITATION SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
41
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: All certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant must receive or obtain training in basic allergen awareness principles within 30 days after employment and every 3 years thereafter. Training programs must be accredited by the American National Standards Institute or another reputable accreditation agency under the ASTM International E2659-09 (Standard Practice for Certificate Programs).
58
67
Nov 27, 2017
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS UNDER SHELVING UNIT AND COOLER IN FRONT WEST STORAGE AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN CEILING VENT ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER(DUST BUILDUP).
35
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Express 168 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Express 168 on file is from Dec 24, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Express 168?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at China Express 168.
Has China Express 168's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at China Express 168 have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at China Express 168 means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is China Express 168 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Express 168 is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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