Lou Malnatis Pizzeria
Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025
67
Score
Lou Malnatis Pizzeria has been inspected 12 times since 2010. Lou Malnatis Pizzeria was last inspected on Sep 24, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around one violation to closer to four violations per visit.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 24, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER,WALK IN FREEZER AND STORAGE AREAS THROUGHOUT AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY STOPPER HANDLE ON MIDDLE BASIN OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP AREA AND STORAGE AREAS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN CUTTING BOARD AT TOPSIDE OF SMALL PREP COOLER.
47
67
Aug 2, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL ON SITE. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, THE NEARBY FLOOR DRAIN FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND NEARBY FLOOR DRAIN. THE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ON SITE TO RESOLVE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
52
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FREEZER CHEST IN POOR REPAIR WITH RUST BUILD UP AND DAMAGED GASKETS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE FREEZER CHEST.
47
82
Sep 11, 2023
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED "COCA-COLA" COOLER IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT AND WALL IN WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
90
Apr 4, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
90
May 24, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN THE CHEST FREEZER TO REMOVE ICE BUILD AND SPILLS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS: THE WALK IN COOLER AND THE WALK IN FREEZER,BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND IN THE MENS WASHROOM.
34
90
Sep 1, 2017
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 6, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER IS BROKEN.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.DEBRIS ON SURFACE OF KNIFE RACK INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
90
Jan 16, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND STAIRS TO STORAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
34
95
Jun 6, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER(DOUGH SPILLS). CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN IN MEN WASHROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS(DUST BUILDUP).
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN BASEMENT UTENSIL STORAGE AREA.
36
86
May 24, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floor along wallbase and under equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Supplies stored on floor in basement. Instructed to elevate all supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.
41
90
Jan 6, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS BASEMENT STORAGE COMMON AREA, REAR STORAGE COMMON AREA AND BEHIND FIRST FLOOR COKE COOLER, IN DINING AREA
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN WALL REAR STORAGE COMMON AREA, REMOVE DUST AND SPIDER WEBS
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA, AND REMOVE DUST FROM SHIELDS
36
86
May 17, 2010
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.LIGHT BULBS IN DRY STORAGE BASEMENT NOT SHIELDED.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.WATER LEAKING AT PIPE BENEATH 3 COMP SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.REMOVE CLUTTER FROM BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS.
41
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lou Malnatis Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria.
Has Lou Malnatis Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Lou Malnatis Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lou Malnatis Pizzeria is inspected about once every two years on average.
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