Chicago
54
YOUR CALL

Lou Malnati'S Pizzeria

439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 · River North · Restaurant · High risk
YOUR CALL
54/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
17
11 passed
Last Inspected
2025-10-16
Pass Rate
65%
2 failures
Score
54/100
YOUR CALL
Passed most recent inspection (2025-10-16)
Failed 2 inspections (2025, 2014)
Employee Hygiene issues found across 4 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 3 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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Sanitation serious 33×
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🐀
Pest Activity critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
📌
Other minor
2025-10-16 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2025-10-09 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 4
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE 2ND FLOOR UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVIC...

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE THE ICE BIN AT BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A SEPARATE CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO RE-GROUT FLOOR TILES IN THE BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

2024-09-18 Pass w/ Conditions Short Form Complaint
CRITICAL 3
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.11: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED HANDWASHING SINKS SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH SOAP. CORRECTED ON SITE SOAP PROVIDED FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION ...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-501.112: OBSERVED ONE DEAD ROACH IN SMALL ROOM IN BASEMENT. DEAD ROACH REMOVED FROM AREA BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12: Knives and spatulas kept in stagnant water at room temp, instructed to keep in a clean dry container.

2024-08-13 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
2
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Low Temp dish washing machine at bar area not sanitizing at final rinse, 0ppm obtained on Cl test strips, instructed manager to provide proper sanitizer concentration at final rinse. Priority violation 7-38-025.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Knives and spatulas kept in stagnant water at room temp, instructed to keep in a clean dry container.

2023-10-31 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 4
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST POVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN 2-DOOR REAR PREP COOLER WHERE CUT FRUIT IS STORED IN 1ST FLOOR. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS IN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS IN BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA,

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REGROUT FLOOR IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA LOCATED IN REAR OF BASEMENT AND MUST MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAT STORAGE AREAS MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2022-11-17 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED SCRAPER STORED BETWEEN 2 COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED ONE OF 3 WASHBOWL SINKS IN 2ND FLOOR MEN'S ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

2021-11-12 Pass w/ Conditions Complaint
6
minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED BROKEN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE A PREP COOLER AND A 1-DOOR REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

serious Food Temperature

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

FOUND NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND HAVE READILY ACCESSIBLE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED A BLACK MOLD-LIKE BUILD UP INSIDE THE 1-DOOR COCA COLA COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

TWO OUT OF THE THREE SINKS IN THE 2ND FLOOR WOMENS RESTROOM HAVE LOW WATER PRESSURE. MUST REPAIR.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND FLOOR TILES MISSING GROUT IN THE COOKS LINE AREA NEAR THE FRY STATION. MUST REGROUT TILES AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENT LOCATED ABOVE THE SALAD MIX/LETTACE DISPENSING MACHINE AND CLEAN DISH STORAGE. MUST CLEAN VENT AND MAINTAIN.

2021-07-26 Pass Canvass
7
minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED COOK NOT WEAR A BEARD GUARD WHILE HANDLING FOOD, BEARDS LONGER THAN 1/4" LONG MUST BE COVERED WITH BEARD GUARDS AT ALL TIMES, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED UTENSILS AND DISHES NOT INVERTED IN FOOD PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKETS ON MULTIPLE PREP COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BROWN/TAN ON PREP COOLER IN NEED OF REPLACING, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKY DRAIN PIPE UNDER 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS AND WATER ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER, FURNACE ROOM, AND UNDER DISH MACHINE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT FOOD PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND AND MAINTAIN.

2020-03-05 Pass Complaint
2
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP LINE NEAR PIZZA OVENS IN BASEMENT PREP KITCHEN COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF USED COOKING OIL RECEPTACLE LOCATED IN ALLEY TO THE NORTH OF THE FIRST FLOOR DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2020-01-13 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP LINE NEAR PIZZA OVENS IN BASEMENT PREP KITCHEN COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN 2ND FLOOR UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF USED COOKING OIL RECEPTACLE LOCATED IN ALLEY TO THE NORTH OF THE FIRST FLOOR DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SEVERAL MISSING CEILING PANELS IN HALLWAY LOCATED ON 3RD FLOOR NEXT TO KEG WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN CEILING PANELS.

2019-01-08 Pass Canvass
3
minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

REFRIGERATION THERMOMETERS KEPT IN THE COLDEST PART OF COOLER BEHIND FOOD CONTAINERS, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN WARMEST PART IN A CONSPICUOUS AREA.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

STORING IN-USE UTENSILS IN A STANDING WATER CONTAINER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A CLEAN DRY CONTAINER.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MISSING A VENT COVER ON BASEMENT'S CEILING ABOVE PREP TABLES

2018-01-31 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED RED AND YELLOW COLORED FOOD SPLATTERS AND STAINS ON THE CEILING NEAR THE OVEN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2017-01-17 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED RACKS WITHIN REACH IN REFRIGERATOR AT BAR WITH PEELING PAINT. MUST REPAINT ALL RACKS AND REMOVE RUST. RESTORE SURFACES TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLENABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

OBSERVED FLOORS IN BASEMENT NEED TO BE CLEANED IN DETAIL UNDER ALL SINKS IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS. MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

OBSERVED CRACKED ,IGHT SHEILD IN DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED 2 MISSING LIGHT SHEILDS IN DISHWASHING AREA. REPAIR AND REPLACE ALL BROKEN OR MISSING LIGHT SHEILDS.

minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

HANG ALL MOPS TO DRY AND PUT AWAY ALL CLEANING EQUIPMENT AFTER USE.

2016-05-16 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE BAR REACH IN COOLER DOORS RUBBER GASKETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS DOOR GASKETS.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/STAINS ON WALLS AT DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA, PEELING PAPER FROM CEILING TILES ABOVE DISHMACHINE ALSO OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTERS ON CEILING TILES AT SAME. MUST REPLACE ALL PEELING PAPER FROM CEILING TILES AND CLEAN WALLS/CEIL...

minor Facility Condition

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

THERMOMETER MISSING INSIDE SERVER REACH IN COOLER AND 2ND FLOOR REACH IN STAND UP COOLER. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.

2015-05-07 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 6
critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

FOUND EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR WITHOUT PAPER TOWEL AND HAND SOAP. ESTABLISHMENT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR BUSINESS SINCE 11:00AM AND SERVING CUSTOMER IN THE BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL HAND WASHING FACILITIES MUST HAVE A PAPER TOWEL AND HAND SOA...

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT/INSECTS PROOFED WITH APPROXIMATELY 1/4 OF AN INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR AND 1/3 OF AN INCH GAP IN BETWEEN THE TWO GLASS DOOR MIDDLE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-020. ALFREDO THE...

minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST INSTALL OR PROVIDE LID FOR THE ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

VENT COVER IN BOTH 2ND FLOOR WASHROOMS WITH DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULBS IN FRONT OF THE WALK IN FREEZER AND ICE MAKER,IN 3RD FLOOR.

minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

VENTILATION IN EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOM NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

2014-09-25 Pass License Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2014-09-23 Fail License

No violations found.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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