Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Pizza Nova Express

Name: Pizza Nova Express
Address: 3836 W 79th St, Chicago, IL

3836 W 79th St

Last inspected Jun 11, 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

Jun 11, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE RUST AND PAINT WITH NONTOXIC PAINT. SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH AND AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN THE FLOORS AND FAN COVERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE HOOD DUSTY ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST REMOVE 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 11, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 20, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A CLUTTER OF ITEMS UNDER THE STAIRS IN THE BASEMENT JUST LEFT OF THE HOT WATER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAR AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST HARBORING.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON ALL VENTS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AND SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OR FOODS PREPARED IN AREAS.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 27, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

INTEGRAL PERMANENTLY AFFIXED THERMOMETER AT PIZZA HOT HOLDING UNIT IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO DISPLAY TEMPERATURE OF UNIT. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN AT UNIT

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STOED ON PREP TABLES/COUNTERS. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE

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 27, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 24, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PLASTIC BOWL USED AS A SCOOP IN SAUCE CONTAINER IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BOWL AND REPLACE WITH UTENSIL WITH A HANDLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS STORED IN CONTAINER WITH STILL WATER AT THE HOT HOLDING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UTENSILS FROM STILL WATER AND RELOCATE TO DRY, CLEAN AND SANITIZED SURFACE 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS BENEATH THE STAIRWELL IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BENEATH STAIRWELL AND DISCARD ANY ITEMS OR EQUIPMENT UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS 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, Apr 24, 2024 · Original Source