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S2 EXPRESS GRILL

129 E 103RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60628 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

S2 EXPRESS GRILL has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 16, 2020. The most recent inspection, on January 12, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 January 12, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 November 8, 2023. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 once on January 24, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 November 8, 2023. 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 November 28, 2022. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS 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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE WASH BOWL IN THE EMPLOYEE'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HANDWASHING SIGN AT THE WASH BOWL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MOPS ARE NOY PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP FOR PROPER AIR DRYING. MAINTAIN SAME.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED CONDENSATION WASTE LINE DRAINING INSIDE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY CONNECT WASTE LINE TO FLOOR DRAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED SELF-CLOSING DEVICE IN POOR REPAIR ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND DAMAGED WALL SURFACES IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED MISSING WALL TILES AND BASEBOARDS IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED FEMALE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD OR FOOD EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A FLY TRAP HANGING FROM THE CEILING IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN NOT HANGING SUCH DEVICES IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED MANAGER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WEAR AND MAINTAIN WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING TOWELS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AT THE ENTRANCE WAY BY THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. ALSO, BUCKLING/PEELING PAINT ON THE CEILING IN THE PREP AREA AND REAR HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE BROKEN/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND SCRAPE PEELING PAINT, PAINT CEILING SURFACES AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MOPS STORED IN THE MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG ALL MOPS WHEN NOT IN USE FOR PROPER AIR DRYING. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS IN THE REAR WITH FOOD/DIRT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE PIC HAS NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
  5. Complaint

    9 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD(RICE 181.9F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED BEEF IMPROPERLY THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY THAW FOOD UNDER REFRIGERATION, RUNNING WATER OR PART OF COOKING PROCESS.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED SELF-CLOSING DEVICE IN POOR REPAIR ON NORTHWEST WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING SURFACES IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY NOT POSTED AND VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY SHALL BE POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010 CITATION ISSUED
  6. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER INCORRECTLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED PREP AREA THREE COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING FROM MIDDLE PIPE.OBSERVED REAR EMPLOYEE BATHROOM LEAKING FROM PIPE INTO PLASTIC CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED CONDENSATION WASTELINE DRAINING IN FIRST COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY CONNECT TO FLOOR DRAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND COMPLY WITH REGULATION.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES HEALTH. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WOOD STORAGE SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PIC HAS NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

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