Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Last inspected: May 12, 2025
82
Score
Going back to 2017, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria has 11 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on May 12, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria's latest score is in line with the Chicago average of 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 12, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: LIQUOR STORED UNDERNEATH SEWER LINES THAT ARE NOT SHIELDED IN BASEMENT STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: SINGLE-SERVICE AND SINGLE USE ARTICLES STORED UNDERNEATH SEWER LINES THAT ARE NOT SHIELDED IN BASEMENT STORAGE CLOSET. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN
45
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: LOW WATER PRESSURE AT HANDWASH SINK AT MAIN COOK LINE. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH SCRAPE SINK IN WAREWASHING AREA NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AAND MAINTAIN
55
82
Jun 6, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 5, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW PRESSURE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE PREP AREA NEXT TO SIDE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOORS IN THE DOWNSTAIRS AREA UNDERNEATH SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON THE FAN GUARDS IN THE UPSTAIRS WALK-IN COOLER AND DOWNSTAIRS PRODUCE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
86
Jul 8, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE BLACK SUBSTANCE ON CAULKING ALONG PERIMETER OF WAREWASHING UNIT. FAUCET BASE OF ALL HANDWASH SINKS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS/BUILD UP. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR DRAIN IN WAREWASHING AREA NEAR DISHMACHINE NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
55
90
Mar 15, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 8, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY IS DISH ROOM AREA. OBSERVED APPROX. 10-15 LIVE FLIES IN AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 4-302.13 CITATION ISSUED
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR UNDER DISH MACHINE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL STAGNATE WATER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Jan 16, 2020
Complaint
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE #10 CAN OPENER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALL AT THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH A BLACK/BROWN SUBSTANCE ON THE CAULK, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/REMOVE OR REPLACE THE CAULK.
55
82
Jun 26, 2019
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.11(B, C, D, E): USING LARGE 30-GALLON GRAY GARBAGE CONTAINERS TO STORE LETTUCE. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12: SMALL CUTTING BOARD AT SALAD PREP LINE STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND WALLS THROUGH OUT WAREWASHING AREA (WAREWASH MACHINE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK) NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND STAINED SURFACES. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SURFACE. WALK IN FREEZER FLOOR WITH EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. WALLS
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
82
Jun 17, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OVER 15 LIVE FRUIT FLIES NOTED ON CEILINGS AND WALLS IN WAREWASHING AREA AND WAIT STATION. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A).
38
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
28
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: USING LARGE 30-GALLON GRAY GARBAGE CONTAINERS TO STORE LETTUCE. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SMALL CUTTING BOARD AT SALAD PREP LINE STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND WALLS THROUGH OUT WAREWASHING AREA (WAREWASH MACHINE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK) NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS AND STAINED SURFACES. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SURFACE. WALK IN FREEZER FLOOR WITH EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. WALLS
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
70
Jul 27, 2018
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE PIERCING PART OF THE CAN OPENER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. CORE VIOLATION.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STANDING WATER UNDER THE PREP HAND SINK, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/DRY MOP. CORE VIOLATION.
55
82
Apr 25, 2017
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lou Malnati's Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on file is from May 12, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.
Has Lou Malnati's Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lou Malnati's 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.
How often is Lou Malnati's Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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