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ITALIAN EXPRESS

2447 W DEVON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ITALIAN EXPRESS has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 27, 2020. The most recent inspection, on March 7, 2025, recorded 6 infractions.

3 of 9 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 temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food source, labelling and allergens.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 6, 2024. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 7, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 August 6, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 6, 2024. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 8, 2023. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/2 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF REAR EXIT DOOR.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS. MUST CLEAN COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MENS WASHROOM HANDWASH SINK PIPE DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MENS WASHROOM SINK MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SMALL HOLES IN WALL BY POTATOE FRIES CUTTER. MUST SEAL HOLES IN WALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA CEILING TILES AROUND CEILING VENTILATION COVER. MUST CLEAN CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • SOME FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES HAVE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO UPDATE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES.
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. WE OBSERVED COOKED 5 EACH(5 POUNDS EACH) ROAST BEEF AT TEMP OF 110.8F TO 115.9F.RAW MARINATE CHICKEN(10 POUNDS)AT TEMP OF 50.7F,ALSO STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY THE MANAGER.POUNDS 35,VALUE 115. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • STEM THERMOMETER PROVIDED ON SITE, HOWEVER BROKEN NOT ABLE TO TURN IT ON. NOT ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A STEM WORKING THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • DRY FOOD STORED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER ON SHELF UNDER PIZZA PREP TABLE MUST BE LABELD WITH COMMON NAME.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MALE EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT IN PREP AREA.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED USED CLOTHS STORED ON TOP PREP TABLE AND CUTTING BOARDS AREA MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OUTSIDE REFUSE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ON CEMENT GROUND AND BRICK WALL.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO MINIMIZER PEST AND INSECTS.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FORM 9-8-2023, REPORT #2581427: #39) 3-305.11: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN. #47) 4-501.11: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS OF THREE DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET. #47) 4-501.12:OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN. #55) 6-501.114: OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ITEMS, KEEP THEM CLEAN ORGANIZED, AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP SURFACES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS OF THREE DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ITEMS, KEEP THEM CLEAN ORGANIZED, AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE OBTAINS ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAINS.
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED PLATES AND OTHER UTENSILS BEING STORED FACING UP ON THE SHELVING UNIT LOCATED IN THE REAR KITCHEN PREPRATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL DISHES AND UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS TO STORE FOOD ITEMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DRY STORAGE AREA LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA WITH CLUTTER AND ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE DRY ROOSTORAGE AREA AND KEEP ITEMS ELVEATED OFF OF FLOORS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENT COVERS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED TO RENEW FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATION AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE NAME OF FOOD, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS, NET QUANTITY AND ANY ALLERGENS IF APPLICABLE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTERS INSIDE OF MICROWAVES IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MINOR GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE OF COOKING FRYERS IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TRASH INSIDE OF RECEPTACLE AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT INSECTS AND RODENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 12/8/2020, REPORT #2463457. #10-OBSERVED NO HAND WASH SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK CENTRALLY LOCATED IN REAR PREP AND DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. #58- OBSERVED ONE OF 2 CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090.
  8. License

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASH SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK CENTRALLY LOCATED IN REAR PREP AND DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PEPSI COOLER LOCATED IN PREP AREA ACROSS FROM GYROS SPITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND DUST UNDERNEATH PIZZA OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNCONNECTED C02 HOSE DANGLING FROM CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER MAKE FUNCTIONAL OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE OF 2 CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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