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EXPRESS CAFE

3658 W DIVERSEY AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EXPRESS CAFE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 22, 2013. The most recent inspection, on March 16, 2016, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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 once on May 5, 2014. 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 9 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 27, 2015. 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 5, 2014. 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES MUST BE SANDED/BLEACHED OR REPLACED. OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE UPRIGHT FREEZER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A FOOD GRADE BAGS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILD-UP ON VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT WITH DIRT ACCUMULATION ON THE INTERIOR PANEL. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERED OPENINGS INTO CEILING AND WALL IN WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES FROM BASEMENT TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Found food items not properly dated in cooler, and reach in freezer, must properly date food items in cooler, and reach in freezer
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/sealed.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of reach in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment in 1st floor, and bsmt storage areas(corners) not clean, need detailed cleaning.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Light shields that were missing end caps in prep areas, and storage areas, shall be provided.
  4. License

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BASEMENT AREA, BETWEEN 3 COMP SINK AND HAND SINK, AND PROVIDE WIRE RACK ABOVE 3 COMP SINK IN BASEMENT,
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS ON LIGHT INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, AND BASEMENT PREP AREA,
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • MUST PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE AT MEN BATHROOM DOOR,
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE WORKING SINK STOPPER FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN PREP AREA, ADDITION 3 COMP SINK IN BASEMENT, AND PROVIDE A BACK FLOW DEVICE AT COFFEE MACHINE,

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