Grand China Express

1129 W Thorndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Chinese
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2015
90
Score
Low Risk

Grand China Express appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2013. The most recent report on file is from Jan 14, 2015. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. The most recent inspection at Grand China Express is from Jan 14, 2015, and nothing newer appears in the public record.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around two violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.

Looking across the full record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.

Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2015
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS AT DISHWASH AREA AND PREP AREA ALSO OBSERVED CRACKS/CREVICES BETWEEN WALL AND 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND RECAULK/SEAL ALL GAPS BETWEEN 2-COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALL.
35
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLERS ANSI CERTIFIED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH NAMES OF ALL EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
45
90
Jan 7, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #1434695 DATED ON 04/09/14 NOT CORRECTED-#OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ALONG THE SIDES OF THE GREASE TRAP AND ACROSS THE HOODVENTS. MUST CLEAN ALSO INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE SHELVES IN THE WALK IN MEAT COOLER TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS, #34 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE OLD FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME, #35 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE WITH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND ALSO ABOVE THE FOOD PREP, #38 DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES TO REMOVE DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL THE ABOVE PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS MUST BE CORRECTED BY DATE OF REINSPECTION (01/14/15). SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS/COOLERS DOOR RAILS AND FOOD STAINS ON EXTERIOR OF ALL SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS AT DISHWASH AREA AND PREP AREA ALSO OBSERVED CRACKS/CREVICES BETWEEN WALL AND 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND RECAULK/SEAL ALL GAPS BETWEEN 2-COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALL.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: FLOOR CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLERS ANSI CERTIFIED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH NAMES OF ALL EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
45
74
Apr 9, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING THE COOLING PROCESS. OBSERVED TWO TRAYS OF CHICKEN STORED ON TOP OF TWO 5 GALLON BUCKETS NEXT TO THE BACK DOOR THAT WERE COOLING BEFORE BEING PLACED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. AN EMPLOYEE OPENED THE BACK DOOR AND LEAVES AND OTHER OUTDOOR DEBRIS FLEW IN WHERE THE CHICKEN WAS BEING STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED TWO TRAYS OF CHICKEN, 5# WORTH $20.00. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
16
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ALONG THE SIDES OF THE GREASE TRAP AND ACROSS THE HOODVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE HOODVENTS SERVICED AND THE GREASE TRAP DETAIL CLEANED AND MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN MEAT COOLER TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND BUILDUP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE OLD FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND ALSO ABOVE THE FOOD PREP.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES TO REMOVE DUST ACCUMULATION.
38
78
Aug 20, 2013
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER ON SHELVING AT CLOSET BY THE DOOR ENTRANCE OF THE PREP KITCHEN AND AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
41
95
Aug 14, 2013
License
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NOTED SEVERAL MICE DROPPINGS AT THE FOLLOWING AREAS:ON SHELVING WITH HOT HOLDING WATER WARMER,ON PALLET BY CHEST FREEZER AND ALONG WALL AT THE FOOD PREP AREA, ON FLOOR AROUND CHEST FREEZER AT THE REAR AND ON FLOOR AT THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA. ALSO NOTED SEVERAL FLYING INSECTS BY ON BAG WITH ONIONS AT AT THE FOOD PREP AREA AND BY 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY.
18
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: NOTED NO DRAIN BOARD AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO PROPERLY DRY UTENSILS AFTER WASHING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
24
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS AND CHEST FREEZERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH DATE AND NAME OF PRODUCTS. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS DURING STORAGE INCLUDING BULK ITEMS INSIDE CONTAINERS ON STORAGE SHELVES.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED BROKEN INNER LID INSIDE CHEST FREEZER AND GASKET AT THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FOLLOWING AND MAINTAIN: SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS WITH RUST AND OLD FOOD DEBRIS, BOTTOM SHELVES OF COUNTER TOPS AT THE FOOD PREP TABLES,INSIDE ELECTRICAL UNIT OF DEEP FRYER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE AND DIRT, DEFROST ALL CHEST FREEZERS WITH HEAVY ICE BUILT UP. ALSO CLEAN THE DOOR RAILS OF REACH IN COOLER.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:FLOORS UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT EMBEDDED WITH GREASE, FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE THROUGH OUT KITCHEN PREP AREA AND AT REAR STORAGE AREAS AND MAINTAIN FREE OF DIRT, FOOD PARTICLES AND MICE DROPPINGS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENING ALONG PIPINGS ON WALLS AND CEILING AT CORNER WALL BASE BY SHELVING WITH ELECTRICAL WATER WARMER. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENING WHERE EVER NEEDED TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING FAUCETS AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER ON SHELVING AT CLOSET BY THE DOOR ENTRANCE OF THE PREP KITCHEN AND AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
41
64

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Grand China Express last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Grand China Express on file is from Jan 14, 2015. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Grand China Express?

Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Grand China Express.

Has Grand China Express' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Grand China Express have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Grand China Express means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.