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PANDA EXPRESS #2522

180 N WABASH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60601 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PANDA EXPRESS #2522 has been inspected 18 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 21, 2015. The most recent inspection, on September 21, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

5 of 18 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 19 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 September 3, 2019. For example: GLOVES USED PROPERLY

  • 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 July 29, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on July 13, 2018. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

18 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • : 4-601.11(B) : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WHELL BASES AND LEGS OF ALL EQUIPMENT,WOK STATION,NOODLE MIXER ATTACHED TO EQUIPMENT,FRYER CABINET.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST SEAL GAP ALONG WALL KICK PLATE OF WALL TILES AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER CUSTOMER SIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SMALL HOLE IN LOWER WALL BASE NEAR HOT WATER TANK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES AND FLOOR DRAINS.
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(B) : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WHELL BASES AND LEGS OF ALL EQUIPMENT,WOK STATION,NOODLE MIXER ATTACHED TO EQUIPMENT,FRYER CABINET.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • 5-501.113(A) : OBSERVED TRASH BEING LEFT IN GARBAGE CAN WITHOUT LID CONDUSIVE TO ATTRACTING INSECTS.MUST EMPTY TRASH AT NIGHT AND PROVIDE COVERED LID.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SMALL HOLE IN LOWER WALL BASE NEAR HOT WATER TANK,MISSING GROUT IN REAR MOPSINK AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES AND FLOOR DRAINS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST SEAL GAP ALONG WALL KICK PLATE OF WALL TILES AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER CUSTOMER SIDE.
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2641635 8/24/26 NOT CORRECTED-#38-6-501.111 : STILL OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 50 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES ON CEILING IN REAR PREP/MOPSINK AREA,DINING AREA.MANAGER ON DUTY CALLED FOR PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON 9/01/26.(PRIORITY 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SMALL HOLE IN LOWER WALL BASE NEAR HOT WATER TANK,MISSING GROUT IN REAR MOPSINK AREA.
  4. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 40 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES AND APPX. 3-5 LIVE LARGE FLIES ON CEILINGS,WALLS AND DOOR FRAMES IN REAR MOPSINK AREA,DINING ROOM,DOOR FRAME OF TOILET ROOM.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 7/29/26.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN & DEEP GROOVES IN CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON RIGHT SIDE OF DOUBLE MAN DOOR OF WALK IN COOLER.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BULD UP ON FRYERS,WHEEL BASES AND PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,WALK IN COOLER-SHELVING UNITS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SMALL HOLE IN LOWER WALL BASE NEAR HOT WATER TANK,MISSING GROUT IN REAR MOPSINK AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR DRAINS WHERE NEEDED AND FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
  5. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK RESIDUE IN THE RIGHT CORNER OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS ON THE INSIDE OF TWO DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER AT THE COOKLINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • No allergen training certificate for food service managers, instructed to obtain.
  9. Canvass

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • FOUND GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON WHEEL CASTERS OF FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  12. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 46. GLOVES USED PROPERLY
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS ON THE HOT SERVICE LINE BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER SERVING FOOD WITHOUT GLOVES. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR GLOVES WHENEVER PREPPING, HANDLING AND/OR SERVING FOODS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT/ DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT, NO PROCEDURE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. A 90 day grace period was given for all new priority and priority foundation violations. Citations will be issued on the next inspection after the 90 day grace period for these violations. (New violations are marked with an asterisk*)
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • IMPROPER THAWING OF TCS FOODS, FOUND A BAG OF SEMI-FROZEN CHICKEN BEING THAWED UNDER RUNNING HOT WATER (115F) AT ONE COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED MGR TO THAW FOOD ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE
  14. Canvass

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED MOP HEADS BEING STORED DOWNWARD IN UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL MOP HEADS UPRIGHT AND MAINTAIN.
  16. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Cutting boards in rear kitchen prep area, that had deep cuts, shall be replaced.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Cooler shelving not clean, need cleaning(detailed), prep table lower shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning. Prep table lower shelving by tea, smoothie prep area not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under prep table in rear prep area not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners), floors under pop dispensing unit not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
  17. License

    0 infractions

  18. License

    0 infractions

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