Pass

Pollo Express Pilsen

1315 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Restaurant ZIP 60608 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Jun 17, 2026

Pollo Express Pilsen was last inspected on June 17, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

June 17, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

1 critical1 general
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Staff were eating, drinking, or smoking where food is prepared.

    Inspector’s note: Observed food handler preparing to eat something at front food prep area. Instructed food handler no eating in food prep area. He discarded food item correct at time of inspection

    Official wording (code 6)

    Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

    Inspector’s note: Leak at faucet on 3 compartment sink at 1st floor prep area. Instructed to correct and maintain.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    6 general Show violations
    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Food handlers in the food prep area and not wearing a hair restraint. Instructed to have food handlers and anyone in the food prep area to obtain and maintain wearing hair restraints while in the food prep area and handling food.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Wiping cloths not properly stored when not in use. Instructed to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution (sanitizer must be at the required ppm). Maintain same.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

      Inspector’s note: Cutting boards in the food prep area with deep, dark grooves and stains. Instructed to sand or replace cutting boards to maintain a smooth and easily cleanable surface.

      Official wording (code 47)

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Floor tiles under the chicken grill and in the rear by the toilet rooms are damaged/broken. Instructed to fix and/or replace floor tiles. Maintain same. -damaged wall panel across from the chicken grill. Instructed to fix the wall and maintain a smooth and easily cleanable surface.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Food stains on wall panels in front of the chicken grill. Instructed to clean and maintain walls.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Mops stored in buckets of dirty water. Instructed to store mops hanging up for proper air drying. Maintain same.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalFacility upkeep

      Hot or cold water wasn’t available, or water pressure was too low.

      Inspector’s note: 5-103.11(b) observed inadequate hot water at all sinks; the beginning of the inspection, hot water ranged from 70f-71f at all hand washing sinks in the food prep area and toilet rooms and at the 3-compartment sink in the dishwashing area. Instructed to always maintain adequate hot water at all sinks at all times, hot water must maintain 110f at the 3 compartment sink and 100f at all hand washing sinks. By the end of the inspection, adequate hot water was restored to all sinks. Priority violation. Citation issue 7-38-030(c).

      Official wording (code 50)

      Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed two female food handlers without adequate hair restraints such as a cap or hair net. Instructed to provide at all times.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed female food handlers without proper hair restraints such as a hair net or a cap. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

  4. No Entry

    Non-Inspection · No Entry

    No violations

  5. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Raw and ready-to-eat foods weren’t kept apart.

      Inspector’s note: Observed inadequate food storage practices. Observed raw chicken and raw beef stored over an open box of tomatoes and limes. Food shall be protected from cross-contamination by arranging all foods to be stored, held, and displayed in order of minimum cooking temperatures. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued. Items stored correctly at the time of inspection

      Official wording (code 15)

      Food separated and protected

    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: Observed bulk storage containers of sugar, salt, and rice stored in basement dry storage. Instructed manager to provide.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Found a city of chicago food service manager without proof of allergen training on site at the time of inspection. Instructed to provide proof of allergen training for all city of chicago food service managers.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the floor tiles in the front prep area at the grill in poor repair(broken tiles). Must repair and maintain smooth and easily cleanable.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

More in ZIP 60608

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.