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MARCELA'S PIZZA

1858 W PERSHING RD, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MARCELA'S PIZZA has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 20, 2021. The most recent inspection, on September 23, 2022, recorded 6 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 20, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 16, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2022. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 11 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2022. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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.

4 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN EQUIPMENT TO REGISTER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE, EQUIPMENT DOES NOT HAVE EXTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR INTERAL AIR TEMPERATURE MONITORING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE RESIDUE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT(GRILL, FRYER,TABLES) INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GRIME ON FLOORS IN REAR PREP/DISH AREA, IN CORNERS AND UNDER TABLES AND SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN TILES IN DOOR WAY LEADING TO KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR SMOOTH FOR THE EASE OF CLEANING.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES MUST BE MAINTAINED ON SITE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR PERSON IN CHARGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT CERTIFICATE FOR ALLERGEN TRAINING MUST BE OBTAINED AND MAINTAINED ON SITE.
  2. Complaint

    13 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VAILID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE LICENSED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HEALTH POLICIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AT ALL TIMES FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN EQUIPMENT TO REGISTER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE, EQUIPMENT DOES NOT HAVE EXTERNAL THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR INTERAL AIR TEMPERATURE MONITORING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING IN WINDOW BLOCKED BY TOWEL. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO FIX AND MAINTAIN FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE RESIDUE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT(GRILL, FRYER,TABLES) INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED HANDSINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA WITH EXCESSIVE LEAK(SINK STILL OPERABLE MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 100F). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN TILES IN DOOR WAY LEADING TO KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR SMOOTH FOR THE EASE OF CLEANING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GRIME ON FLOORS IN REAR PREP/DISH AREA, IN CORNERS AND UNDER TABLES AND SINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES MUST BE MAINTAINED ON SITE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR PERSON IN CHARGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT CERTIFICATE FOR ALLERGEN TRAINING MUST BE OBTAINED AND MAINTAINED ON SITE.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.14(O) Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Violation Codes: 2-501.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • Violation Codes: 5-501.17 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  4. License

    15 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)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED EXISTING PLUMBING IN TOILET ROOM FOR MISSING HAND WASH SINK.MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MUST REMOVE HAND DRYING DEVICE ABOVE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND PLACE AT HAND SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND SINKS.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED FREEZERS AND HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT NOT CONNECTED.MUST HAVE ON AND AT 0.0F AND PIZZA HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 60 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON GRILL TABLE,LOWER SHELF AT STOVE,ON FLOOR BEHIND ,UNDER AND NEXT TO REACH IN COOLERS IN REAR PREP AREA,ON CONCRETE LEDGE NEAR PIZZA OVEN,ON FLOOR BEHIND GREASE TRAP,IN CORNER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS.CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 9/20/21.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX. "1-2" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF SIDE DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST PROVIDE 3- SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF REAR PREP TABLE AND SHELVING UNITS IN COOLERS IN REAR AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FRYER CABINET,GRILL TABLE,STOVE,FLOOR MIXER,MEAT SLICER.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED TALL WEEDS AND BRANCHES AROUND OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER AND GARBAGE CAN .MUST CUT DOWN TALL WEEDS AND REMOVE BRANCHES AND MAINTAIN AREA.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING & WALL TRIM IN REAR PREP AREA,MISSING FLOOR TILE UNDER PIZZA PREP COOLER.MUST MAKE FLOOR SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE IN REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA AND BASEMENT .MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER IN BASEMENT
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALLS AND CEILINGS IN PREP AREAS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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