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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Lou Malnatis Pizzeria

3986 N Avondale Ave

Last inspected Feb 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Feb 6, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE KITCHEN AREA AND DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLOW DRAINAGE AT THE HAND WASHING SINK BY THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED BINS IN THE EMPLOYEE WASH ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE COVERED BINS IN THE EMPLOYEE WASH ROOM.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 6, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 10, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BOX OF DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWEL REFILL ROLLS STORED ON SHELF IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWEL REFILL ROLLS OUTSIDE OF WASHROOM AND STORE ALL SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES OUTSIDE OF PROHIBITED AREAS SUCH AS TOILET ROOMS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED TO MAINTAIN FOOD AND EQUIPMENT AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT KITCHEN AREA AND IN WALK-IN COOLER, NOT DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR CLEANING FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MILK CRATES AND REPLACE WITH EQUIPMENT THAT FACILITATES CLEANING BENEATH EQUIPMENT SUCH AS DUNNAGE RACKS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF PIZZA OVEN ALONG MAIN COOK LINE (NEXT TO DEEP FRYER) HEAVILY-SOILED WITH GREASE AND DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF PIZZA OVEN AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SMALL DRIP/LEAK AT 4-COMPARTMENT SINK LEFT-HAND FAUCET, FAUCET STILL FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE 4-COMPARTMENT SINK LEFT-HAND FAUCET TO ELIMINATE LEAK AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 10, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Jan 19, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PIZZA DOUGH DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUHGOUT WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS CONSPICUOUSLY PLACED IN DESSERT REACH-IN COOLER, IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL HOT AND COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DRAINPIPE WITH A LEAK UNDERNEATH EXPOSED HANDSINK, NEAR THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 19, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Jan 11, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 11, 2024 · Original Source

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