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Zip Z Express

1635 W HOWARD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60626 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Zip Z Express has been inspected 2 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 14, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 11, 2025, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 2 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 11, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 March 11, 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 11, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times on June 14, 2024. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

  • 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 once on June 14, 2024. 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.

2 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • REMOVE GLUE BOARDS WITH DEAD INSECTS ON IT.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • GREASE ON ONE BURNER UNIT STORED AT REAR STORAGE AREA,CLEAN OR REMOVE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • STCKY FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,INSTRUCTED TO MOP AND KEEP CLEAN.
  2. License

    7 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS, UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • STAFF WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ISSUE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • GREASE BUILD-UP UNDER, BEHIND AND ALONG BASEBOARD WALLS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

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