Congress Pizzeria
Last inspected: Aug 14, 2017
78
Score
Across the available record, Congress Pizzeria has five inspections on file, the first dated 2015. The most recent report on file is from Aug 14, 2017. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well. The most recent inspection at Congress Pizzeria is from Aug 14, 2017, and nothing newer appears in the public record.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around eight violations to closer to five violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Across the inspection history, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Congress Pizzeria trails the local norm. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
5
Inspections
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Critical latest
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Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 14, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE BROWN AND BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST TURN OFF ICE MACHINE REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR SURFACES CLEANED AND SANITIZED. ICE MACHINE WAS CLEANED AND SANITIZED DURING INSPECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(a).
16
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR PREP AREAS AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP AREA ABOVE SHELVING AND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN WOWEN'S WASHROOM.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: STEM THERMOMETER NEEDED TO MONITOR FOOD TEMPERATURE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN 2ND FLOOR STORAGE ROOMS. MUST REMOVE AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. OBSERVED ITEMS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR STORAGE ROOM NOT ELEVATED 6INCHES. MUST ELEVATE AND MAINTAIN.
41
78
Feb 25, 2016
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RELEASE PUSH BUTTON FROM INSIDE THE DOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER IS BROKEN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. SECOND FLOOR SECOND DOOR OF THE PREP PIZZA COOLER DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DEEP FRIES WITH GREASE BUILD-UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR METAL SHEET INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER NOT SEALED INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,SECOND FLOOR.GRIME UNDER,AROUND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT ,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.ALSO UNDER DISH MACHINE AND SECOND FLOOR THROUGHOUT
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE SOUTH PIZZA OVEN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE SAID CEILING TILES. BROKEN /BENDED METAL BASEBOARD IN FRONT OF THE UNITS IN THE KITCHEN INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR REPLACE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL THE DIRTY BLANKETS AND COVERS USED TO COVER PIZZA BOXES WHEN IS DELIVERD MUST BE KEPT CLEAN AND AWAY FROM PREP AREA AND PREP TABLES.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ANY ONE ENTERING THE PREP AREA ARE REQUIRED TO USE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS TO CONFINE HAIR. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL ITEMS STORED IN PREP AREA THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES: UNDER AND ON TOP PREP TABLES,SHELVES ETC.MUST PROVIDE A SEPARATE AREA /LOCKROOMS FOR EMPLOYEE TO USE.
42
74
Feb 17, 2016
Complaint
11 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: SHREDDED CHEESE AT TEMP OF 45.5F TO 46.7F; RAW SASUSAGE AT TEMP OF 46F;BOTH PRODUCTS WERE STORED INSIDE THE PIZZA PREP COOLER. COOKED LASAGNA AT TEMP OF 53.7F TO 57.8F,SHREEDED CHEESE AT TEMP OF 46.9F, FOOD WAS STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.WHICH MAINTAIN TEMP OF 39.7F. BAKED POTATOES STORED INSIDE THE OVEN(WHICH WAS TURNED OFF)AT TEMP OF 83.9F. HOT FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 140F AND ABOVE,COLD FOO 40F AND BELOW.FOOD WAS DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 37,VALUE 101. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-005(A)
3
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SOAP NOR PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK, AT SECOND FLOOR AND BY THE PREP AREA. UPON MY REQUEST SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT SAID SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
12
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 11-27-15,REPORT#1442224 #34-MUST REPAIR CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN FOOD FRONT PREP AREA AND MUST REGROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. #37-MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM DOOR OBSERVED TODAY THE SAME VIOLATIONS SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-090
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RELEASE PUSH BUTTON FROM INSIDE THE DOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER IS BROKEN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. SECOND FLOOR SECOND DOOR OF THE PREP PIZZA COOLER DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DEEP FRIES WITH GREASE BUILD-UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: VIOLATION UP-GRADED TO VIOLATION#29
34
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR METAL SHEET INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER NOT SEALED INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,SECOND FLOOR.GRIME UNDER,AROUND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT ,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.ALSO UNDER DISH MACHINE AND SECOND FLOOR THROUGHOUT
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE SOUTH PIZZA OVEN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE SAID CEILING TILES. BROKEN /BENDED METAL BASEBOARD IN FRONT OF THE UNITS IN THE KITCHEN INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR REPLACE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: VIOLATION UP-GRADED TO VIOATION #29
37
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL THE DIRTY BLANKETS AND COVERS USED TO COVER PIZZA BOXES WHEN IS DELIVERD MUST BE KEPT CLEAN AND AWAY FROM PREP AREA AND PREP TABLES.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ANY ONE ENTERING THE PREP AREA ARE REQUIRED TO USE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS TO CONFINE HAIR. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL ITEMS STORED IN PREP AREA THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES: UNDER AND ON TOP PREP TABLES,SHELVES ETC.MUST PROVIDE A SEPARATE AREA /LOCKROOMS FOR EMPLOYEE TO USE.
42
58
Dec 3, 2015
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. MUST BE SENDED/BLEACHED OR REPLACE. OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN SECOND FLOOR. MUST REPAIN OR REPLACE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN FOOD FRONT PREP AREA AND MUST REGROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR WATER STAIN CEILING TILES ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST INSTALL A BASEBOARD ON WALLS AROUND THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM DOOR.
37
82
Nov 27, 2015
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. MUST BE SENDED/BLEACHED OR REPLACE. OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN SECOND FLOOR. MUST REPAIN OR REPLACE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN FOOD FRONT PREP AREA AND MUST REGROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR WATER STAIN CEILING TILES ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST INSTALL A BASEBOARD ON WALLS AROUND THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM DOOR.
37
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Congress Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Congress Pizzeria on file is from Aug 14, 2017. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Congress Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Congress Pizzeria.
Has Congress Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Congress Pizzeria have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Congress Pizzeria means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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