Papa John's Pizza
Last inspected: Dec 17, 2025
74
Score
Across the available record, Papa John's Pizza has 18 inspections on file, the first dated 2012. The most recent report on file is from Dec 17, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Papa John's Pizza trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
18
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 17, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN AND PIZZA,) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS' CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
53
74
Sep 11, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THE PIZZA PREP COOLER WITHOUT A SPLASH GAURD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LOWER PARK OF THE PIZZA PREP COOLER WITH BUILD UP OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH AN ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
58
74
Feb 27, 2023
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE WALL TILE AT THE BASE OF THE WALL BY THE GREASE TRAP; INSTRUCTED TO REATTACH OR REPLACE TILE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA INCLUDING SINKS AND IN THE WASHROOM.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
86
Feb 1, 2022
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN LINEN MUST BE STORED IN A SAFE CLEAN MANNER. REMOVE ALL CLEAN APRON FROM BATHROOM STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL STORAGE SHELVES AND PREP TABLES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ANY AND ALL FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDER ALL SHELVES IN CORNERS AND UNDER SINKS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD UP. WALLS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
57
82
Dec 4, 2020
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOUND THE FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FOUND THE SINK IN THE TOILET ROOM IN NEED OF CAULKING. INSTRUCTED TO CAULK AROUND THE TOP SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE PIZZA OVEN WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. -THE WALLS AROUND THE SINK, COOLERS AND PREP TABLES WITH FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MOPS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP. MAINTAIN SAME.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTILATION.
56
74
Dec 20, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SUMMARY FROM THE LAST INSPECTION ON 10/11/2016 POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW. INSTRUCTED TO POST AND MAINTAIN CURRENT SUMMARY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
61
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HAND WASH SINK NEAR THE PREP LINE THAT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
53
82
Oct 11, 2016
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 5, 2016
Tag Removal
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED #32EXPOSED INSULATION AT PREPCOOLER COVERS. #34 FLOORS NOT CLEAN BEHIND GREASE TRAP CLEAN. #45PREVIOUS FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. SERIOUS VIOLATION#7-42-090
29
95
Oct 4, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: SERVICE COOLER NOT MAINTAINING FOODS AT CORRECT TEMPERATURES. TEMPERATURE OF FOODS ARE AT 50 F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES AT 50 DEGREES FARENHEIGHT CHICKEN,BEEF ,PEPPERONI,BACON AND SPINACH ALFREDO. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISTROYED 70LBS /$398.00 CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-OO5(A)
3
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED #32EXPOSED INSULATION AT PREPCOOLER COVERS. #34 FLOORS NOT CLEAN BEHIND GREASE TRAP CLEAN. #45PREVIOUS FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. SERIOUS VIOLATION#7-42-090
29
86
May 20, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: EXPOSED INSULATION AT PREP COOLER COVERS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS NOT CLEAN BEHIND GREASE TRAP, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES PERSONAL FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FOOD SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO DESIGNATE A SHELF FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS AWAY FROM OTHER FOODS.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIRMENTS NOT MET.
45
78
Jul 28, 2014
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR AROUND GREASE RECEPTOR AT THREE COMP SINK TO REMOVE RUST STAINS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: A LIGHT AMOUNT OF DUST WAS OBSERVED ON THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE PIZZA OVEN, ON THE WALL PANEL BEHIND THE PIZZA OVEN AND ON THE FAN COVERS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER; REMOVE DUST FROM ALL EQUIPMENT.
35
90
Jun 9, 2014
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: WIPE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS IN PREP AREA AND CLEAN BLADE OF CAN OPENER AT CAN OPENING STATION.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXTERIOR SURFACE OF GREASE RECEPTOR RUSTY; PAINT RECEPTOR AT THREE COMP SINK.
38
90
Oct 16, 2013
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Only authorized personnel in the food-prep area
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SEPARATION UNIT TO ENCLOSE AREA FROM CUSTOMERS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
44
95
Oct 9, 2013
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 70-75 FRUIT FLIES IN REAR AREA BY 1 COMP SINK, 3 COMP SINK AND MOP SINK AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN ALL AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. MUST CORRECT SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020 CITATION ISSUED EVIDENCE OF INSECT ACTIVITY.
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD PRODUCTS IE...SAUSAGE, CHICKEN, CHEESE ETC... INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF EXAM AND OR PROOF OF CERTIFICATE AND HAVE PROOF POSTED AS WELL AS PERSON ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGH OUT NOT CLEAN, COVING IN POOR REPAIR AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND CORRECT AT ALL TIMES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS WITH FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL SPLATTER AND MAINTAIN.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM IN NEED OF SELF CLOSING DEVICE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
37
Only authorized personnel in the food-prep area
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SEPARATION UNIT TO ENCLOSE AREA FROM CUSTOMERS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
44
70
Oct 10, 2012
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS/FLOOR DRAINS NOT CLEAN THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
34
95
Oct 2, 2012
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: FOUND FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY AT PREMISES. OBSERVED ABOUT 30 FRUIT FLIES ON WALLS BY MOP SINK AND REAR PREP SINK AREA. CITATION ISSUED.
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS/FLOOR DRAINS NOT CLEAN THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
34
90
May 3, 2012
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD. HANDLES/ASSEMBLES PIZZAS USING CHEESE, CHICKEN, PORK SAUSAGE,ETC. SERIOUS VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED.
21
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY.MUST STORE INVERTED.
31
90
Jan 20, 2012
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Papa John's Pizza last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Papa John's Pizza on file is from Dec 17, 2025. The public record contains 18 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Papa John's Pizza?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Papa John's Pizza.
Has Papa John's Pizza's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Papa John's Pizza have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Papa John's Pizza 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 Papa John's Pizza inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Papa John's Pizza is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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