Skip to content
Loading map…

WOW PIZZERIA

2557 N HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WOW PIZZERIA has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on February 18, 2026, recorded 11 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 3, 2025. 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 2 times on February 18, 2026. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2026. For example: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on February 18, 2026. For example: FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2026. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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.

3 inspections

  1. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 15. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY TWO DOZEN RAW ANIMAL ORIGIN EGGS BEING STORED ON THE TOP SHELVING OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER DIRECTLY ABOVE FRESH VEGETABLES AND PREPARED FOODS. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD STORAGE AND SAFETY. COOK REMOVED ALL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED A COOK WASHING A BOWL TO BE USED FOR FOOD BEING PREPARED,WITH A SOILED TOWEL INSIDE THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK. REVIEWED THE PROPER METHOD TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS ASSORTED TCS PIZZAS SUCH AS CHEESE, PEPPERONI AND SAUSAGE IN A DISPLAY CASE FOR SALE HELD AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF 81.1F, 82.9F AND 82.2F. WITH NO TEMPERATURE LOGS. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. REVIEWED REQUIRED HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF USING TIME AS A MEANS OF CONTROL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT ALL BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED THE RAW WOODEN CYLINDER PLATTERS THE PIZZAS ARE HELD ON ARE IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPPING DAMAGED WOOD.----BROKEN LID REPAIRED WITH TAPE ON THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL.----MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS A FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE FREEZERS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED PEELING RED DUCT TAPE ON THE GLASS DOORS OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER AND PEELING PLASTIC ON THE DOORS OF THE METAL TWO DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE ALL.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKET ON THE GLASS DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR STAND MIXER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE HALLWAY WASHROOM.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE EMPLOYEE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPLIES AND PROCEDURE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MUST PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HAND SINKS IN KITCHEN.
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED 2 PANS OF PIZZA AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 95F IN DISPLAY CASE. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. FOOD WEIGHING 10 LBS AT A COST OF $25.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  3. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. 90- DAY GRACE PERIOD GIVEN FOR FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SIGNED COPIES OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES, AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO BODILY FLUID SPILL KIT AND ITS CORRESPONDING CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. 90- DAY GRACE PERIOD GIVEN TO FACILITY TO DEVELOP A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES. MUST KEEP BOTH THE POLICY AND SUPPLIES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN BOTH UNISEX WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED DUST ACCUMULATED ON VENT ABOVE MOP SINK, AND DUST, COBWEBS, AND DEBRIS IN CRAWL SPACE OF KITCHEN ELECTRICAL CLOSET, CRAWL SPACE NEAR BASEMENT METERS, AND ON THE WESTWALL CRAWL SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FOR EASY MONITORING OF PEST ACTIVITY/HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED METERS ON WEST AND EAST WALL IN BASEMENT EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED TO INSTRALL ACCESS DOORS/ PANELS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED UNUSED CHEST FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR DOOR IN BASEMENT OFFICE SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website