China Express 168

Chicago Health Dept

4248 S WENTWORTH AVE · BACK OF THE YARDS, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025).

9 inspections on record since 2017 · Last inspected Dec 2025.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

Inspection history

DEC 24

2025

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING (2 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED, WOK STATION AS WELL AS ALONGSIDE FRYER INCLUDING COILS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP AND FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT FREE OF ACCUMULATED BUILD UP.

Serious Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED LARGE PUDDLES OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH WOK STATION AND FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID AREA IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

APR 23

2024

PASS 5 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED SEVERAL LARGE FOOD CONTAINERS WITH DRY PRODUCTS. (RICE, SALT SUGAR, ONION POWDER, PEPPER ) WITHOUT PROPER COMMON FOOD NAME MARKINGS. MUST LABEL BULK AND WORKING FOOD CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS COMMON NAME. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR BAGS.

Minor Pest Activity

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION IN THE KITCHEN AREA, DISHWASHING AREA, AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDES APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE STOVE AND AROUND THE WORKS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENT CONTAINERS, RACKS, AND SHELVING WITH FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC. AND REMOVE DUST, GREASE, AND DIRT BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

APR 6

2023

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.11- OBSERVED FOOD BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD STORAGE ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17-INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR EMPLOYEE TOILER ROOM.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12- MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.

MAR 27

2023

FAIL 7 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.

Critical Food Temperature

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS . INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA UNDER THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD STORAGE ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR EMPLOYEE TOILER ROOM.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.

MAR 31

2022

PASS 6 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED DRY GOODS STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT NAME OF ITEM INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER; INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME.

Minor Food Temperature

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (FRYERS, WOK STATION, HOT HOLDING UNIT), BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF REFRIGERATION UNITS, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS WHERE NEEDED, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, CEILING TILE AND VENTS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED, LIGHT SHIELDS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED, WALLS AT MOP SINK AREA AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOUND EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS UPDATE CERTIFICATES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

UNABLE TO PRODUCE TWO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR TWO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES.

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JUL 28

2021

PASS 7 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINETS,STEAM TABLE,PREP TABLES,WOK STATION,PREP COOLER,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Other

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

MUST ELIMINATE BUCKETS USED FOR GARBAGE CANS AND PROVIDE GARBAGE CAN WITH LID.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT,WALK IN COOLER AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL BASES NEAR REAR DOOR AND WHERE NEEDED.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP AT FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

JAN 8

2020

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

MUST PROPERLY STORE UNUSED WIPING CLOTHS IN ADEQUATE CHEMICAL SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES FOR WASHROOM USED BY FEMALE EMPLOYEES.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE, CORNERS AT REAR UNDER SHELVING.

APR 10

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND NO CITATION ISSUED MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED ( ,FISH, CHICKEN, COOKED BEEF, ETC.) STORED INSIDE THE WALK IN AND FRONT PREP REACH IN COOLER. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE PROPERLY LABELED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

FOUND NO WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN SANITATION SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

All certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant must receive or obtain training in basic allergen awareness principles within 30 days after employment and every 3 years thereafter. Training programs must be accredited by the American National Standards Institute or another reputable accreditation agency under the ASTM International E2659-09 (Standard Practice for Certificate Programs).

NOV 27

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOORS UNDER SHELVING UNIT AND COOLER IN FRONT WEST STORAGE AREA.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

CLEAN CEILING VENT ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER(DUST BUILDUP).

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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