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CHOPSTICK EXPRESS

3237 N HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60634 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHOPSTICK EXPRESS has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 31, 2010. The most recent inspection, on November 28, 2012, found no infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 1, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 14 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 24, 2012. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 24, 2012. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • DAMAGED SCREEN WIRE ON EXIT DOOR ,REAR SIDE MUST BE REPLACED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR OF 2 DOOR PREP COOLER UNCLEAN, SHELVES ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK UNCLEAN,COOKING KNOB FULL OF GREASE, SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER UNCLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOOD BOXES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER MUST BE ELEVATED 6" FROM THE FLOOR
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT FULL OF GREASE MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; WALLS AT THE REAR UNCLEAN MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  3. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Foods in coolers not labeled or dated. Instructed to label and date all foods not in original containers.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Exterior of cooking equipment, exhaust hood, coolers and storage shelves not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize daily.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor along wallbase and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily and remove food debris.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Baseboard near utility room and walls in utility room not maintained. Instructed to seal all holes and repair missing coving on wallbase.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Light not working in rear of kitchen and light bulbs not shielded under exhaust hood. Instructed to repair non-working bulbs and shield all bulbs or install shatter-proof bulbs.
  4. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. Found food items not properly dated/labeled in walk in freezer, walk in cooler, and coolers, must date and label food items in walk in freezer, walk in cooler, and coolers.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • 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. Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean need detailed cleaning(crevices).Non food contact surfaces of cooking equipment not clean need detailed cleaning(crevices).Cooler shelving of reach in coolers need cleaning.Prep tables lower shelving need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment, walk in cooler, and rear storage areas not clean need cleaning(corners).Floors in front storage room need cleaning.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Ceiling tiles in kitchen prep area need cleaning, walls by deep fryer not clean need detailed cleaning.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.Light shields in kitchen prep area not clean need cleaning, light shields by front counter need cleaning.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exhaust canopy not clean needs cleaning, exhaust vents(ventilation)in walk in cooler, kiychen prep areas, dining areas, and bathrooms not clean need detailed cleaning.
  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. COOKING HOOD FULL OF GREASE,MUST CALL FOR SERVICE FOR CLEANING; EXTERIOR SIDE OF COOKING EQIPMENT,FULL 0F FOOD DEBRIS, MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; SCREEN DOOR AT THE EXIT DOOR IN POOR REPAIR,MUST BE REPLACED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. EXTERIOR SIDE WALL OF WALK IN COOLER MUST BE CLEAN;INTERIOR OF PREP COOLER MUST BE CLEAN;MEAT GRINDER MUST BE CLEAN ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FLOORS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT FULL OF GREASE,MUST REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN;FLOORS BEHIND /UNDER UPRIGHT COOLER MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.CEILING TILES AT THE REAR area MUST BE SEALED;BASE WALL AT THE REAR SIDE MUST BE CLEAN
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. EXTERIOR SIDE OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD ON TOP OF THE SHELVES FOR DRY INGREDIENTS,MUST CLEAN SHELVES AND MAINTAIN; SHELVES ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE CLEAN
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FOOD BOXES INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER MUST BE ELEVATED 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR;FLOOR AROUND WALK IN COOLER AND UNDER 2 COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE ,UNCLEAN ,MUST CLEAN; WALLS AND COVING NEAR WALK IN COOLER AND UNDER 2 COMPARTMENT SINK UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN;CEILING TILES ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH 3 INCH HOLE MUST BE SEALED

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