Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House
Last inspected: Apr 17, 2025
86
Score
Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House has been inspected 14 times since 2016. The most recent report on file is from Apr 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited 12 times.
Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House's latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 17, 2025
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAPS IN BETWEEN REAR EXIT DOORS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE KNOB ON THE FRONT HAND SINK WITH A LEAK AT THE BOTTOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FEW CEILING TILES THROUGH OUT DAMAGED. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Apr 7, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FEW CEILING TILES THROUGH OUT DAMAGED. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAPS IN BETWEEN REAR EXIT DOORS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE KNOB ON THE FRONT HAND SINK WITH A LEAK AT THE BOTTOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
86
Nov 29, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN FRONT NEAR CASH REGISTER WITH LEAK FROM DRAINPIPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OFFICE/STORAGE AREA VERY CLUTTER. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT HARBORGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF ALL THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. THE WALLS AND VENTS AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN VARIOUS AREAS IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA WITH STAINS AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Feb 26, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE REAR EXIT DOOR IS WORN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER. MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING THROUGH OUT ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE.
55
86
Aug 25, 2023
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: REAR EXIT DOOR HASA 1 INCH GAP IN THE CENTER; INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO AVOID POSSIBLE RODENT ENTRY.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, BOTTOM OF FRYERS AND BOTTOM AREA OF STEAMTABLE. STEAMTABLE CLEANING CORRECTED ON SITE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR IN CORNER AREA BY LARGE OVEN, CLEAN UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS WHERE NEEDED.
55
86
Oct 27, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS AND LIGHT SHIELDS WHERE NEEDED TO REMOVE BUILD UP OF DUST.
55
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE AND BOTTOM AREA UNDERNEATH THE STEAMTABLE.
49
90
May 3, 2021
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE. CLEAN INTERIOR OF UNUSED REFRIGERATION UNIT BY FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS AND VENT FANS ON WASHROOM CEILINGS TO REMOVE DUST. REPLACE ALL WATER STAINED CEILING TILE WHERE NEEDED. CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED TO REMOVE SPLATTER AND BUILD UP.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOUND A FEW FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES EXPIRED; INSTRUCTED THAT THOSE FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.
57
86
Mar 31, 2020
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND THE WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: THE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ARE RUSTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE RACKS. MAINTAIN SAME.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS THICK GREASE, DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE RUBBER WALL BASE MISSING FROM THE AREA UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF ALL THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. THE WALLS AND VENTS AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN VARIOUS AREAS IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA WITH STAINS AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Nov 15, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND A WRITTEN PROCEDURE AND KIT ON PREMISES. FOUND THE DISINFECTANT INSIDE OF KIT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO KILL NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISINFECTANT THAT WILL KILL NOROVIRUS. ADDITIONAL TIME GRANTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES AND INTERIOR BOTTOM OF THE FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT (FRYERS AND SMOKER). CLEAN WALLS AROUND PREP TABLES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILE NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR AND IN WASHROOMS.
55
82
Oct 9, 2018
Routine
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-602.11 (B) (5) OBSERVED GRAB AND GO ITEMS, PASTRIES/DESERT MISSING LABEL INFORMATION ALLERGEN, WEIGHT, INGREDENTS ETC. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIED PROPER LABELS FOR FOOD ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUE
37
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14N OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A)(A) NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-203.11 OBSERVED NO HAND SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREP (COOK LINE, HOT HOLDING) AREA. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND INSTALL A HAND SINK UNDER CITY WATER PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUES
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-2020.16 OBSERVED EXIT/ENRTY DOOR IN REAR OF FACILITY FOR REFUSE NOT TIGHT FITTED ABOVE 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM AND SIDE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN WAREWASHING AREA IN DISREPAIR FAUCET LEAKING, HOT AND COLD KNOBS IN DISREPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.14 OBSERVED FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS IN DISREPAIR, MISSING AND POROUS NOT SEALED MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOORS FOR SMOOTH, NON POROUS, EASY TO CLEAN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES ON SITE FOR INSPECTION REVIEW.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS WITHOUT REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
58
52
Dec 15, 2017
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS UNDER PREP TABLE IN DISH WASHING AREA.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE ALL POP AND MILK CRATES IN WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZER AND STORAGE AREAS AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF SHAKE MIXER, FRYER CABINETS, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, AND HOLDING UNITS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA. CLEAN ALL LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING VENTS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS(DEAD INSECTS, DUST BUILDUP,ETC).
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE STEAM TABLE BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.
36
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION AT THE REQUIRED PPM.
43
70
Oct 12, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND REPAINT RAW WOOD SHELVING IN DRY STORAGE AREA.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA. REMOVE PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN DISH WASHING AREA NEAR ICE MACHINE AND AROUND TOILET IN MEN WASHROOM. CLEAN ALL LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING VENTS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS(DEAD INSECTS, DUST BUILDUP,ETC).
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE STEAM TABLE BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. REPAIR ALL INOPERABLE LIGHT BULBS IN DRY STORAGE AND REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ORGANIZE ALL REACH-IN AND WALK-IN COOLERS.
41
82
Aug 29, 2016
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY ICE BUILD UP IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER; REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK-IN FREEZER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, CLEAN INTERIORS OF HOT HOLDING UNIT BY BBQ PIT, CLEAN BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, CLEAN CAN OPENER BLADE AT PREP TABLE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH STORAGE SHELVES IN STORAGE ROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN WALLS, CEILINGS AND CEILING VENTS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED. CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD EXTERIORS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED ON SHIELDS.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: SOME CLUTTER OF BOXES OBSERVED IN STORAGE ROOM AND IN OFFICE; ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN BOTH AREAS.
41
78
Apr 19, 2016
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN BOTTOM INTERIORS OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE OBSERVED.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOORS UNDER FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE. CLEAN FLOORS IN STORAGE ROOM (CDI). CLEAN FLOOR INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER. A SECTION OF THE FLOOR BY THE STOVE IS NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE; MUST MAKE FLOOR SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE BY ADDING TILE OR SEALING FLOOR.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN WALL VENT OUTSIDE OF THE UTILITY CLOSET TO REMOVE GREASE OBSERVED. CLEAN CEILING VENTS, TILE AND SHIELDS IN KITCHEN AND DINING AREA.
35
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House on file is from Apr 17, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 12 times, more than any other issue at Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House.
Has Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House 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 Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Food Express Restaurant — the Chicago Rib House is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants