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LOU MALNATIS PIZZERIA

1520 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LOU MALNATIS PIZZERIA has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 17, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 24, 2025, recorded 7 infractions.

5 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on September 24, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 15 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on September 24, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 12 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on September 24, 2025. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded once on September 24, 2025. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN CUTTING BOARD AT TOPSIDE OF SMALL PREP COOLER.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER,WALK IN FREEZER AND STORAGE AREAS THROUGHOUT AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY STOPPER HANDLE ON MIDDLE BASIN OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP AREA AND STORAGE AREAS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FREEZER CHEST IN POOR REPAIR WITH RUST BUILD UP AND DAMAGED GASKETS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE FREEZER CHEST.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL ON SITE. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, THE NEARBY FLOOR DRAIN FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND NEARBY FLOOR DRAIN. THE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ON SITE TO RESOLVE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED "COCA-COLA" COOLER IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT AND WALL IN WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN THE CHEST FREEZER TO REMOVE ICE BUILD AND SPILLS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS: THE WALK IN COOLER AND THE WALK IN FREEZER,BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND IN THE MENS WASHROOM.
  9. Canvass

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER IS BROKEN.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.DEBRIS ON SURFACE OF KNIFE RACK INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  11. Canvass

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND STAIRS TO STORAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER(DOUGH SPILLS). CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN IN MEN WASHROOM.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS(DUST BUILDUP).
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN BASEMENT UTENSIL STORAGE AREA.
  14. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor along wallbase and under equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Supplies stored on floor in basement. Instructed to elevate all supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.
  15. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS BASEMENT STORAGE COMMON AREA, REAR STORAGE COMMON AREA AND BEHIND FIRST FLOOR COKE COOLER, IN DINING AREA
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN WALL REAR STORAGE COMMON AREA, REMOVE DUST AND SPIDER WEBS
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA, AND REMOVE DUST FROM SHIELDS
  16. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.LIGHT BULBS IN DRY STORAGE BASEMENT NOT SHIELDED.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.WATER LEAKING AT PIPE BENEATH 3 COMP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.REMOVE CLUTTER FROM BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS.

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