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PANDA EXPRESS RESTAURANT #2685

6501 S CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PANDA EXPRESS RESTAURANT #2685 has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 6, 2016. The most recent inspection, on January 21, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

3 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 2022. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 31, 2020. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 4, 2018. For example: OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 13, 2025. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 13, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES 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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF SYRUP RESIDUE ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE UNDER SODA BIB SHELF. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10LBS OF EGG MIXTURE IN PREP AREA AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE 64.8F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F AND BELOW. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED 10 LBS OF EGG MIXTURE AT A COST OF $50. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD RESIDUE ON INTERIOR OF COOLERS ON PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ALLERGENT TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LOOSE BASEBOARD AND CRACKED TILE IN REAR PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA NEAR HOT WATER HEATER AND ALONG WALL BY 3-COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN .
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONSE TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005
  7. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN CORNERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. MANAGER CORRECTED WHILE ON SITE.
  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED A VARIETY OF READY TO EAT/TCS FOODS PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT PROPER LABELING/DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEARLY MARK THE DAY OR DATE WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE CONSUMED, SOLD, OR DISCARDED WHEN HELD AT A TEMPERATURE OF 41*F OR LESS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • O.BSERVED THE FLAT GRILL DRIP TRAY FULL, INSTRUCTED TO EMPTY/CLEAN
  10. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN CHICKEN (160.2F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION 7-38-012
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK SALT CONTAINER NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BLACK RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE DISPENSER ON POP MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SURFACES ON POP MACHINE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  11. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER NO LID(BROKEN OFF) NOT RODENT PROOFED, INSTRUCTED TO CALL DUMPSTER COMPANY AND REPLACE DUMPSTER LID/OR REPLACE DUMPSTER. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED STANDING WATER IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
  13. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • DRY STORAGE BINS NOT LABELED, INSTD. TO LABEL BINS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CRACKED DRY STORAGE BINS,INSTD. TO REPLACE SAME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS IN REAR NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS ACCUMULATION INSTD. TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
  14. Suspected Food Poisoning

    7 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED POOR HYGENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLER. OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE STAND ON WOK STATION CURRENTLY BEING USED, THAT HAS OPEN CONTAINERS OF SOY SAUCE, SPICES, AND SAUCES IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO WHERE STANDING. EMPLOYEE STANDING ON STATION TO WASH HOOD AND WALLS. ALSO NOTED, SAME EMPLOYEE CHANGE GLOVES AFTER CLEANING WALLS AND HOOD AND BEGIN TO HANDLE FOOD, WITHOUT ANY HANDWASHING INBETWEEN. INSTD MGR ON PROPER CLEANING AND SANITZING OF EQUIPMENT, PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION, AND WASHING HANDS WHEN CHANGING TASKS, CHANGING GLOVES, ETC. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A CRITICAL.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED, OVERFLOWING DUMPSTER WITH EXPOSED DEBRIS, UNABLE TO CLOSE LIDS AND HAVE TIGHT FITTING. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER WITH TIGHT FITTING LIDS. VIOLATION 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, RICE, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012A.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • DRY STORAGE BINS NOT LABELED. INSTD TO LABEL BINS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CRACKED DRY STORAGE BINS. INSTD TO REPLACE SAME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS IN REAR NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTD TO PROVIDE RECORDS, LOGS.
  15. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  16. License

    5 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • REACH IN COOLER NOT ON AND AVAILABLE FOR TESTING.
    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • PAPER TOWELS NEED AT HANDSINKS.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FRONT AND SIDE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. MUST CORRECT
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE CONTAINERS OR PROOF OF CONTAINER ON SITE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FRONT DISPLAY COOLER DOOR THATS CONNECTED TO WALK IN COOLER NOT STAYING CLOSED. TEMPERTURES ARE VARING DUE TO DOOR ISSUE. MUST CORRECT.

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