Pita Express
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
90
Score
Across the available record, Pita Express has six inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 3, 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 five violations lately and about nine violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited six times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Pita Express is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE CUSTOMER/EMPLOYEE RESTROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. INTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING FOOD MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
40
90
May 2, 2025
Routine
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE DINING ROOM.----MISSING VENT COVER ABOVE THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE ALL.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE BASEMENT ICE MACHINE OR MOVE THE MACHINE TO AN AREA OF THE BASEMENT THAT DOES HAVE SUCH A CEILING.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE (DISHWASHER)ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL.
58
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE EATING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. REVIEWED PERMITTED AREAS FOR EMPLOYEES TO EAT.
6
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: PREP AREA WET WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED IN USE UTENSIL USED TO SCOOP FALAFEL FOR THE DEEP FRYER BEING IMPROPERLY STORED IN STANDING WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF 56.7F. IF STORED IN WATER, MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 135F OR STORE ON/IN A CLEAN SURFACE/CONTAINER, OR INSIDE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE INVERTED FROM THE FOOD AND WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AS NEED OR EVERY 4 HOURS.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD OR USED CARDBOARD OIL BOXES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR PLUMBING PIPES UNDER THE 1ST FLOOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE RAW WOODEN STICKS AS A MEANS OF SEPARATION IN COOLER FOR PREPARED RAW MEAT KABOBS. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, NON-ABSORBENT AND ABLE TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE BAGS.----MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A GRIP HANDLE FOR BLENDER. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND ABLE TO SANITIZE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: UNUSED ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT ANY PEST HARBORING.
55
61
Mar 22, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A CONSTANT SMALL WATER LEAK AT FAUCET OF NEWLY INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME OVER HEAD PIPES OVER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND FOOD PREP AREA WITH NOTICEABLE ROUGH EDGES AND OPEN SEAMS AND CREVICES AND WRINKLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID AREAS SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND ARE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
55
90
Mar 15, 2024
Reinspection
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-204.11--Observed no handwashing station in basement prep area. Observed evidence of food prep and storage in basement. Instructed manager to install a handwashing station or sink in basement by 3/20. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-305.14--Observed multiple waste lines above three compartment sink as well as over prep tables in basement prep area of establishment. Waste lines from first floor handwashing sinks and 3 compartment sinks. Instructed to encase all waste water pipes to prevent from potential drips and sources of contamination over 3 compartment sink and any food prep and storage areas. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.
39
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B)--Observed no thermometer present in clear glass doored cooler at front prep area. Instructed manager to provide an maintain a working thermometer in all coolers.
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-305.12--Observed dry storage and spices stored in basement beneath unfinished wood and open ceiling in basement. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas.
39
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--Observed no food handler certificates provided on premises. Must show proof of training for all food handler employees.
57
70
Mar 13, 2024
Complaint
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: Observed TCS foods (chicken, hummus, rice, cheese, diced tomatoes) in standing double door cooler in rear to be at improper cold holding temperature with chicken at 46.4 degrees, hummus as 46.3 degrees, tomatoes at 46.5 degrees, rice at 70.3 degrees, cheese at 45 degrees, and shishkabob at 46.4 degrees. Instructed manager to monitor and maintain all cold TCS foods at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Management voluntarily discarded and denatured approximately 50 lbs of food worth $300. Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: Observed double door standing cooler in rear prep area with an ambient air temp of 48.2 degrees. Instructed management to repair and maintain the cooler at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Cooler is tagged "held for inspection" at this time, and manager is instructed not to use until repaired. (See comments below). Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policies on site at time of inspection. Discussed with manager to provide a signed health policy for each employee, and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010, citation issued.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: Observed no handwashing station in basement prep area. Observed evidence of food prep and storage in basement. Instructed manager to install a handwashing station or sink in basement by 3/20. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels present at front prep hand sink. Instructed manager to provide paper towels and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Consolidate with the above citation.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Observed multiple waste lines above three compartment sink as well as over prep tables in basement prep area of establishment. Waste lines from first floor handwashing sinks and 3 compartment sinks. Instructed to encase all waste water pipes to prevent from potential drips and sources of contamination over 3 compartment sink and any food prep and storage areas. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
39
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager on site while TCS foods are prepared, handled, and/or served. (Handling beef, chicken, hummus) PIC provided a photo copy of certificate on phone. Physical and original copy must be present and posted as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012,citation issued.
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Observed no thermometer present in clear glass doored cooler at front prep area. Instructed manager to provide an maintain a working thermometer in all coolers.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Observed bulk storage container without a label. Instructed to provide common name of contents to properly identify all items in establishment. (Salt, sugar, sesame, flour, etc.)
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Observed dry storage and spices stored in basement beneath unfinished wood and open ceiling in basement. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: Observed spoons, scoops, and utensils stored improperly in rear prep area storage rack. All utensils must be inverted when stored.
44
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: Observed single service items stored facing up in rear prep storage rack. All single service items must be stored inverted.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed exterior, sides, and gasket of glass door cooler in front prep area to have heavy accumulation of food residue and debris. Instructed manager to clean and regularly maintain area free of food residue and debris.
49
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: Observed no food handler certificates provided on premises. Must show proof of training for all food handler employees.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: Observed no allergen training certificate on site. Must show proof of training.
58
30
Apr 19, 2023
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOXES OVERFLOWING FROM DUMPSTER AND BOXES WERE PLACED OUTSIDE OF DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE DUMPSTER AND EXTRA BOXES PICKED UP. DUMPSTER AND AREA SURROUNDING IT MUST BE CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED.
54
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO INSIDE RECEPTACLES FOR KITCHEN PREP OR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS IN BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN SHELVING OR STORAGE THAT WILL KEEP ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR, TO ENSURE THAT FLOOR CAN BE CLEANED.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNNECCESSARY ITEMS STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DECLUTTER AND GET RID OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBAORAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO HOLES IN BASEMENT FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COVER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLE AROUND LIGHT SWITCH ON WALL LEADING TO BASEMENT INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN. OBSERVED HOLES AROUND METER ON WALL IN BASEMENT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM STAIRS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SMOOTHLY SEAL IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON HOODS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pita Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pita Express on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pita Express?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Pita Express.
Has Pita Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pita Express have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pita 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 Pita Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pita Express is inspected around two times per year on average.
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