Panda Express #1878
Last inspected: Jan 9, 2026
90
Score
Going back to 2010, Panda Express #1878 has 21 inspections in the public record. On Jan 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded eight times in the inspection record.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Panda Express #1878 is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
21
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 9, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD MANAGER PROVIDED. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
90
Dec 30, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND 2 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS, CORNERS AND UNDER EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
82
Apr 4, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN WALK-IN COOLER CONDENSER UNIT LEAKING, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER DOOR SWEEP BROKEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Nov 13, 2023
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE DURING TIME OG THE INSPECTION WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOODS, RICE, BEEF, SHRIMP, NOODLES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CFM AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORIT FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AREA UNDERNEATH HEAVY EQUIPMENT OF THE SERVING LINE, WOK STATION AND IN REAR PREP UNDER PREP TABLES WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FOOD SPILLAGE AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FREE OF DEBRIS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CITY OF CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
58
82
Jan 5, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 29, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: No pest control service, no records of service. instructed manager to obtain a licensed pest control service. priority foundation violation.7-38-020(c).
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: No certified food service manager on site, No certificate posted while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken, beef, rice...) instructed to obtain. priority foundation violation 7-38-12.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
1
78
Jun 1, 2021
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND ONE OUT OF THE TWO HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE EMPLOYEE MENS RESTROOM BROKEN AND UNABLE TO PROVIDE RUNNING WATER. MUST REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND GREASE BUILDUP ON OUTER SURFACE OF GREASE TRAP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
May 25, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH INSPECTION RECEIPTS (AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR PER CODE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C).
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND ONE OUT OF THE TWO HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE EMPLOYEE MENS RESTROOM BROKEN AND UNABLE TO PROVIDE RUNNING WATER. MUST REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND GREASE BUILDUP ON OUTER SURFACE OF GREASE TRAP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
Feb 13, 2020
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVIING TCS FOODS ( CHICKEN, BEEF....) INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
2
90
May 23, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: - THE DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE, WHO IS ON SITE, MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION LICENSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#:7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: - NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: - NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP WRITTEN POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
5
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: - MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. -
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: - MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL MANAGERS AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE. -
58
67
Feb 13, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE/FOOD BUILD UP ON EXTERIOR OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD/DUST BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, REACH IN COOLERS AND UNDER STEAMTABLES AT FRONT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLS/CORNERS AT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
34
90
Jan 27, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: UPPER SURFACES ON FRONT PREP COOLER NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
95
Apr 5, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE KNIFE RACK ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RE-INSTALL THE KNIFE RACK SECURELY TO THE WALL AND MAINTAIN.
32
95
Jan 16, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL BULK CONTAINER AT REAR.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR AT REAR AROUND SODA RACK AT WALK-IN COOLER AND 3-COMP SINK.
34
90
Jun 23, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SODA NOZZLES WITH BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SODA NOZZLES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK, ICE MACHINE AND UNDER THE WOK STATION WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND ORGANIC DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS.
34
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE WOK STATION WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
34
86
Nov 27, 2013
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE LEAK UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE 2 COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.
38
95
Jan 22, 2013
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 23, 2012
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 5, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR BOTTOM PARTS OF THE 'WOK' UNIT HAVE EVIDENCE OF GREASE & DIRT BUILD-UP-MUST KEEP CLEAN. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR DRAINS/DRAIN COVERS THRU-OUT PREMISES; FLOORS ALONG WALLBASES OF 3-COMP SINK, BEHIND ICE MACHINE & AROUND GREASE TRAP- MUST BE FREE OF FOOD/DEBRIS. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS AROUND MOP SINK AREA MUST BE FREE OF FOOD STAINS/SPLATTERS. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.
35
86
Feb 18, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO ONE ON PREMISES WITH A CITY CERTIFICATE WHILE P.H.F. (CHICKEN, RICE, BEEF) ARE PREPARED, COOKED, SERVED. MUST HAVE CERTIFIED MANAGER AT ALL TIMES. A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.
21
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN SANITIZING SOLUTION AT ALL TIMES, SOLUTION CHANGED AS NEEDED. Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.
43
90
Nov 4, 2010
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Sewage and waste water disposal, no back siphonage, cross connection and/or back flow
Inspector notes: In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. 3-COMP SINK MUST BE PROPERLY PLUMB WITH P-TRAP AND GREASE RECEPTICAL. MOP SINK MUST BE INSTALLED PROPERLY WITH NO LEAKS. ICE MACHINE MUST BE CORRECTED ON AVAILABLE WITH BACK FLOW PREVENTOR.
10
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. MUST PROVIDE PROPER LOG BOOK FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY.
18
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. ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens. ALL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES.
41
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Panda Express #1878 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Panda Express #1878 on file is from Jan 9, 2026. The public record contains 21 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Panda Express #1878?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Panda Express #1878.
Has Panda Express #1878's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Panda Express #1878 have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Panda Express #1878 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 Panda Express #1878 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Panda Express #1878 is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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