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LA PALMA EXPRESS

7020 W GRAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60707 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA PALMA EXPRESS has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 8, 2023. The most recent inspection, on February 23, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 2 times on February 6, 2026. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 once on January 10, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on January 10, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 11 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 6, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 6, 2026. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE 3-DOOR STAND UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED THE THREE (3) COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED;NOT DRAINING PROPERLY OCCASIONALLY BACKING UP WHEN THE WATER IS RELEASED FROM FIRST COMPARTMENT, WATER BACKS UP INTO MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WATER SLOWLY DRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING ISSUE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER, INTERIORS OF COOLERS,PREP TABLE NEXT TO THE DEEP FRYER AND GRILL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA AND WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT FRONT AND REAR HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 DEAD ROACHES IN REAR WAREWASHING/STORAGE AREA BELOW DRY STORAGE UNIT AND IN CORNERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND SANITIZE AREAS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS UNDER/AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTER ABOVE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT TITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED WASH ROOM ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED CLUTTER ALONG WALL AND ON SHLEVES AT THE HALLWASY LEADING TO THE REAR AND AT REAR THE KITCHEN . INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE FROM UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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