Lena's Pizza
Last inspected: Aug 1, 2025
95
Score
The health department has logged 17 inspections at Lena's Pizza, the earliest from 2010. The most recent visit was on Aug 1, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 1, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: STOCK ON FLOOR IN WALK FREEZER AND WALK IN COOLER. ELEVATE 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN.
39
95
Jun 11, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON THE WALL SURROUNDING THE MOP SINK. OBSERVED MISSING TILE FROM WALL BETWEEN WALK-IN FREEZER AND HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPIAR AREAS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Jun 8, 2023
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN FURNACE AND WATER HEATER ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL FOOD ITEMS. FOOD STORAGE IS PROHIBITED IN MECHANICAL ROOMS.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST AND SMOKE BUILDUP ON CEILING TILES, CEILING VENTS, AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
82
Jun 1, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR AND SHELVES IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA/FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN FURNACE AND WATER HEATER ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL FOOD ITEMS. FOOD STORAGE IS PROHIBITED IN MECHANICAL ROOMS.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS, CABINETS, COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST AND SMOKE BUILDUP ON CEILING TILES, CEILING VENTS, AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN REAR FURNACE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
64
Oct 26, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME (BREADCRUMBS). INSTD TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR CABINET OF FRYERS NOT CLEAN, GREASE/DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
90
Nov 10, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MISSING COVER FOR RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
53
95
May 24, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINK IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: STOCK ON FLOOR IN WALK IN FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE STOCK 6 INCHES.
39
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SAME.
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: RAW WOOD SURFACE AT UNDERSIDE OF SHELVING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO SEAL SAME.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.
58
70
Jun 4, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS, OR ZIP LOC BAGIES.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT DINING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
35
90
Jan 5, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: WALK-IN COOLER WIRE STORAGE RACKS NOT CLEAN, DUST ACCUMULATION. INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DUST/GREASE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN TILES. WORN/STAINED SURFACES ON WALLS IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND PAINT WALLS.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER NOTED FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
40
86
Apr 29, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 8-14-15 REPORT #1566261 INSP# 372 #45 OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. GIVEN COPY OF IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER INFO. AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: RUBBER GASKETS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: DIPPER WELL NEEDED AT ITALIAN LEMONADE STATION. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
86
Aug 14, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CEILING FAN,LIGHTSHIELDS, AND WALLS DUSTY IN THE REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DUST, AND CLEAN OVEN SMOKE FROM WALLS/CEILING TILES.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIGHT IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. GIVEN COPY OF IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER INFO. AT THIS TIME.
45
86
Dec 9, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL STOCK ITEM IN THE WALK IN FREEZER/COOLER AT LEAST 6" OFF THE FLOOR.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN THE LEAK AT THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
86
Jan 29, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE PREP COOLERS AND CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
33
95
Apr 11, 2013
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: FRYERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND FRYERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
90
Jan 11, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: STORAGE SHELVES NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND IN CORNERS NEED CLEANING.
34
90
Feb 18, 2010
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL AND DATE ALL COOKED FOODS IN COOLER/FREEZER.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES. PAINT SAME WITH NON-TOXIC PAINT. EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP IN UPRIGHT FREEZER.
32
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lena's Pizza last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lena's Pizza on file is from Aug 1, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lena's Pizza?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Lena's Pizza.
Has Lena's Pizza's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lena's Pizza have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lena's Pizza means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Lena's Pizza inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lena's Pizza is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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