La Palma Express

7020 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60707

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at La Palma Express, the earliest from 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 23, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around zero violations lately and about six violations before that.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.

Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 23, 2026

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Feb 6, 2026

Routine

1 major violation. 7 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE THREE (3) COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED;NOT DRAINING PROPERLY OCCASIONALLY BACKING UP WHEN THE WATER IS RELEASED FROM FIRST COMPARTMENT, WATER BACKS UP INTO MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WATER SLOWLY DRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING ISSUE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025,CITATION ISSUED.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER, INTERIORS OF COOLERS,PREP TABLE NEXT TO THE DEEP FRYER AND GRILL AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA AND WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE 3-DOOR STAND UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

Jan 10, 2025

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT FRONT AND REAR HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 DEAD ROACHES IN REAR WAREWASHING/STORAGE AREA BELOW DRY STORAGE UNIT AND IN CORNERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND SANITIZE AREAS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS UNDER/AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES.

Jan 18, 2024

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT TITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOM ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER ALONG WALL AND ON SHLEVES AT THE HALLWASY LEADING TO THE REAR AND AT REAR THE KITCHEN . INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

Mar 8, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE FROM UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was La Palma Express last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at La Palma Express on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at La Palma Express?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at La Palma Express.

Has La Palma Express' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at La Palma Express have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at La Palma 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.

How often is La Palma Express inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, La Palma Express is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Mis Peques Restaurant

7020 W Grand Ave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Taqueria Y Restaurant Don Ramon

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Chicago