Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

Italian

Last inspected: Mar 21, 2025

Score

Low Risk

With just two inspections in the record, there isn't enough history to establish a clear pattern. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 21, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.

The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited two times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 21, 2025

Reinspection

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: 4-301.16: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: 6-501.11: OBSERVED MISSING GROUT BETWEEN LOWER WALL TILES NEAR COUNTER AND REFRIGERATOR AND OPENINGS BETWEEN LOWER TILES ON WALL NEXT TO FRYER IN FIRST FLOOR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR LOWER TILES IN WALL IN SAID AREAS OF FIRST FLOOR PREP AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES ON FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REGROUT FLOOR TILES IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. OBSERVED HOLES IN CEILING AROUND PIPES IN CEILING NEAR CEILING VENT IN LEFT REAR OF BASEMENT PREP AREA. OBSERVED HOLES IN LEFT WALL NEXT TO TWO UPRIGHT FREEZERS IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR HOLES IN SAID AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF PATIO SERVICE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

Mar 5, 2025

License

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER NEAR DISHWASHING AREA AT AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 46.2F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON WALK-IN COOLER. PRIORITY VIOLATION

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF PATIO SERVICE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING GROUT BETWEEN LOWER WALL TILES NEAR COUNTER AND REFRIGERATOR AND OPENINGS BETWEEN LOWER TILES ON WALL NEXT TO FRYER IN FIRST FLOOR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR LOWER TILES IN WALL IN SAID AREAS OF FIRST FLOOR PREP AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES ON FLOOR IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REGROUT FLOOR TILES IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. OBSERVED HOLES IN CEILING AROUND PIPES IN CEILING NEAR CEILING VENT IN LEFT REAR OF BASEMENT PREP AREA. OBSERVED HOLES IN LEFT WALL NEXT TO TWO UPRIGHT FREEZERS IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR HOLES IN SAID AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna on file is from Mar 21, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna.

Has Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

531 N Wells St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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