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LAI LAI ORIENTAL EXPRESS

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LAI LAI ORIENTAL EXPRESS has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 7, 2010. The most recent inspection, on February 21, 2012, 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: Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 once on February 3, 2011. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 3, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 3, 2011. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on February 3, 2011. For example: WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE

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

    6 infractions

    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • All food establishments shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure properly connected to the city water supply. NO HOT WATER PROVIDED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT. OBSERVED HOT WATER AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT 52-84F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT HOT WATER ABOVE 110F MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO PROPERLY WASH DISHES AND UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • OBSERVED WASTE WATER (GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES) BACKING UP INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT COMPARTMENTS OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT WAS FILLED WITH WATER AND ALLOWED TO DRAIN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT 3 COMPARMENT SINK MUST PROPERLY DRAIN WITHOUT BACKUP INTO THE OTHER SINKS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 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. DETAIL CLEAN THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS NEAR THE 3 COMPARMENT SINK AND IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP TABLES, INTERIOR OF PREP COOLER, CABINETS UNDER FRONT STORAGE COUNTER.
    • 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. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR IN BOTH PREP AREAS.
    • 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. DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 1 SINK STOPPER IS MISSING FROM THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 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. Observed accumilated food and dirt build up inside prep area floor drains. Instructed manager to clean and maintain interior of all unclean floor tiles.
    • 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. Observed small holes in wall behind 1-compartment sink. Instructed manager to seal all holes in wall.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. 1-compartment sink faucet leaking at base. Instructed manager to repair and maintain sink.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 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. Observed accumilated food and dirt build up inside prep area floor drains. Instructed manager to clean and maintain interior of all unclean floor drains.
    • 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. Observed small holes in wall behind 1-compartment sink. Instructed manager to seal all holes in wall.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. 1-compartment sink faucet leaking at base. Instructed manager to repair and maintain sink.

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