Italian Express
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2013
90
Score
Public records show five inspections at Italian Express stretching back to 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 9, 2013. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit. Note that Italian Express's inspection history hasn't been updated since Apr 9, 2013; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around two violations across recent inspections versus roughly five violations before.
Looking across the full record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Italian Express is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: FOUND SLICED GYRO MEAT STORED INSIDE A PLASTIC CONTAINER BY THE SPIT UNIT AT TEMP OF 71.2F AND 78.4F.ALSO GYRO MEAT ON THE SPIT WAS AT TEMP OF 100.4F, SPIT UNIT WAS TURNED OFF. NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED AT PRESENT TIME. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS 10, VALUE $110. INFORMATION GIVEN HOW TO KEEP FOOD WITH PROPER TEMPERATURE. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A).
3
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND BOTH WASHROOMS USED ONLY BY STAFF IN BASEMENT AREA NOT MAINTAINED. OBSERVED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF TOILET BOWL IN MEN'S WASHROOM DIRTY WITH FECES AND GRIMES, TOILET BOWL IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM EXTERIOR DIRTY WITH GRIMES ALSO FECES WERE SMEARED ON WALL BY THE MIRROR AT SAME SAID WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WASHROOMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-030
11
90
Jun 5, 2012
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST THE ICE CREAM FREEZER AND MAINTAIN(WITH HEAVY ICE BUILD UP).
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE CHOPPING BOARD, THE DOUGH AND CHEESE MACHINE, THE TOP AND BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE PREP TABLE, THE LID OF THE ICE CREAM FREEZER AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CRACKED/BROKEN CEILING TILES IN THE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING THERMOMETER IN THE ICE CREAM FREEZER. MUST PROVIDE AND MUST BE VISIBLE.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PALLET OR SHELVINGS TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS,ARTICLES IN THE REAR SOUTH CORNER IN THE BASEMENT,TO HAVE AN EASY ACCESS IN CLEANING THE FLOOR.
41
78
Aug 18, 2011
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 9/14/11.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 9/14/11.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 9/14/11.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 9/14/11.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 9/14/11.
38
78
Jun 14, 2011
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LABEL ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS UNDER THE PREP TABLE AND ALL FOOD CONTAINERS THAT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ,REACH IN COOLER AND PREP COOLER.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE 2 MORE DRAIN STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPT SINK.(MISSING 2 DRAIN STOPPER).
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR INSIDE THE CLOSET IN BOTH WASHROOMS IN THE BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL OR REPLACE THE SCREEN ON THE EXIT DOOR.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKING ON THE FAUCET NECK CONNECTOR OF THE 3 COMPT SINK FAUCET. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
78
Feb 17, 2010
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage.//detail clean icemachine the cooler shelves, and detail clean lower prep table
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.///all floors in kitchen basement, detail cleaning in all corners
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.///Walls and celing kitchen prep area,and peeling paint in basement walls where food is keeped for storage.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.///lightshield in the kitchen and basement need detail clean
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.///exhasut vent in walk in cooler, kitchen prep area and the bathroom in basement area needs detail cleaning
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens.remove all excess clutter off the floor 6inch up 6 inch away from wall.
41
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Italian Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Italian Express on file is from Apr 9, 2013. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Italian Express?
Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Italian Express.
Has Italian Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Italian Express have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Italian 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.
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