CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at EL GRAN BURRITO EXPRESS #2 in an inspection dated 04/07/2023.
The facility operates from 1907 W 87TH ST in Ashburn, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation related to pest control. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed the Rear Exit Door Not Tight Fitting. Must Repair and Maintain to Prevent Entry Point for Pest.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
The second violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Observed Grease on the Exterior Side of Cooking Equipment. Must Clean and Maintain.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The third violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Must Clean the Interior of the Front Reach in Prep Cooler to Remove Debris And/or Spills. Must Clean the Interior of the Ice Machine.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The fourth violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The fifth violation concerned hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Observed a Leaky Pipe Underneath the 3 Comp Sink. Must Repair and Maintain.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/07/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND FOOD STORAGE SHELF IN REAR PREP AREA.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED OVER SIZED POTS AND PLASTIC FOOD STORAGE BINS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR SMALLER CONTAINERS & POTS.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES); CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-305.11 : OBSERVED FOOD & PAPER GOODS STORED ON SHELVING UNIT IN TOILET ROOM AND ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREEZER MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND FOOD STORAGE SHELF IN REAR PREP AREA; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: 3-304.14 : MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE FROM SURFACES.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: 4-903.11 (A; B; D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.12 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CUTTING BOARD ON TOPSIDE OF GRILL TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-101.19 : MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED IN WALK IN FREEZER FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PLACE ON ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 4-301.12 : OBSERVED OVER SIZED POTS AND PLASTIC FOOD STORAGE BINS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR SMALLER CONTAINERS & POTS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: : 6-201.13 : MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE CAULKING FROM ALONG LOWER WALL BASES IN TOILET ROOM TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: : 6-201.17 : MUST CLEAN DEAD INSECT FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES); INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, FOOD STORAGE SHELVES,REACH IN & PREP COOLERS,TOILET ROOM,REAR DOOR AND EVIDENCE OF A FEW LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND AND CRAWLING ON FLOOR.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS & LIVE SMALL FLIES CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 3/26/25.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED); CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD & PAPER GOODS STORED ON SHELVING UNIT IN TOILET ROOM AND ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FREEZER MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: MUST STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM FOOD STORAGE SHELVES AND STORE PROPERLY.; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE FROM SURFACES.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CUTTING BOARD ON TOPSIDE OF GRILL TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED IN WALK IN FREEZER FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PLACE ON ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED OVER SIZED POTS AND PLASTIC FOOD STORAGE BINS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED IN 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE A LARGER SINK OR SMALLER CONTAINERS & POTS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY SEAL GASKET UNDERNEATH FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE CAULKING FROM ALONG LOWER WALL BASES IN TOILET ROOM TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM TO HANG UP WET MOPS .; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN DEAD INSECT AND SPLATTER FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED); PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED); PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS .5LB.COOKED PORK 78.6F IN A PAN ON TOPSIDE OF SPIT. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE. APPX. .5LBS. $.75.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS); PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS COOKED FOODS INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER SUCH AS 75LBS. COOKED STEAK RANGIMG FROM 83.1F-91.6F. 20LBS. BIRRERIA-45.8F. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX. 95LBS. $304.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED); THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR 1- DOOR PREP COOLER.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES & SHAKERS); INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 100 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDER,3- COMPARTMENT SINK,BUCKET STORAGE RACK,ICE MACHINE, HOT WATER TANK & MOPSINK,ON & UNDER PREP TABLES, STEAM TABLE,INSIDE OF FRYER CABINET,MOTOR OF SHAKE MACHINE,3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER,TOILET ROOM.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 4/19/24.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED); INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR SCREEN ON REAR DOOR TORN AND DAMAGED MUST MAKE SCREEN TIGHT FITTING.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER & FREEZER MUST ELEVATE AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN 1 & 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES UPRIGHT.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD FROM FOOD STORAGE SHELVES AND INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PREP TABLES, FRYER CABINETS,GRILL TABLE,PREP & REACH IN COOLERS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING TILES AND VENTS IN LOBBY AREA AND PREP AREA.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT ENTRY POINT FOR PEST.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT REACH IN PREP COOLER TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND/OR SPILLS. MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN..
Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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