Lai Lai Oriental Express

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL 60654

Chinese

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2011

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Lai Lai Oriental Express three times, with records going back to 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 3, 2011. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. Public records show no inspections at Lai Lai Oriental Express since Feb 3, 2011, so this file may not reflect current conditions.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to three violations before.

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

The city-wide average sits at 81, which Lai Lai Oriental Express' 74 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 3, 2011

Routine

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

Inspector notes: All food establishments shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure properly connected to the city water supply. NO HOT WATER PROVIDED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT. OBSERVED HOT WATER AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT 52-84F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT HOT WATER ABOVE 110F MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO PROPERLY WASH DISHES AND UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTE WATER (GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES) BACKING UP INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT COMPARTMENTS OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT WAS FILLED WITH WATER AND ALLOWED TO DRAIN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT 3 COMPARMENT SINK MUST PROPERLY DRAIN WITHOUT BACKUP INTO THE OTHER SINKS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

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. DETAIL CLEAN THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS NEAR THE 3 COMPARMENT SINK AND IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP TABLES, INTERIOR OF PREP COOLER, CABINETS UNDER FRONT STORAGE COUNTER.

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. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR IN BOTH PREP AREAS.

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. DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: 1 SINK STOPPER IS MISSING FROM THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.

Feb 24, 2010

Complaint

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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. Observed accumilated food and dirt build up inside prep area floor drains. Instructed manager to clean and maintain interior of all unclean floor tiles.

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. Observed small holes in wall behind 1-compartment sink. Instructed manager to seal all holes in wall.

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. 1-compartment sink faucet leaking at base. Instructed manager to repair and maintain sink.

Jan 7, 2010

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

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. Observed small holes in wall behind 1-compartment sink. Instructed manager to seal all holes in wall.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lai Lai Oriental Express last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lai Lai Oriental Express on file is from Feb 3, 2011. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lai Lai Oriental Express?

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

Has Lai Lai Oriental Express' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Lai Lai Oriental Express have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Lai Lai Oriental Express means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

Mezza Grilled Wraps & Pitas

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz

Score: 82 — Low Risk

Quiznos Sub

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz

Score: 82 — Low Risk

Freshii 1871

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Chinese restaurants in Chicago