Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

Name: Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna
Address: 531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL

531 N Wells St

Last inspected Apr 28, 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

5 inspections

Canvass

Apr 28, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INTERIOR OF 4 DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN BASEMENT DOUGH PREP ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 SOME DEBRIS ON GROUND IN ALLEY NEAR DUMPSTERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL ON EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 28, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Apr 20, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 20, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 21, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

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

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s 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.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s 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.

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, Mar 21, 2025 · Original Source

License

Mar 5, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s 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

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

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

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s 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.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s 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.

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, Mar 5, 2025 · Original Source

License