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WOW PIZZERIA

5335 N SHERIDAN RD, CHICAGO, IL 60640 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WOW PIZZERIA has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 31, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 10, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 7 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, Food temperature control and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 20, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 once on September 17, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    8 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD INSECTS/ROACHES ON TOP OF UNUSED DISHMACHINE IN REAR AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE PLASTIC SODA CRATES OR MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED ONE STORAGE RACKS WITH RUST ACCUMULATION INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AROUND GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA WITH CLUTTER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD BEHIND GREASE BOX UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND ICE MACHINE. -------MUST SEAL ALL HOLES ON WALL AROUND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • ONE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT DO NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE SHALL COMPLETE AN APPROVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROGRAM.
  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-302.12 INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR ETC).
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-501.112INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD INSECTS/ROACHES UNDER AND BEHIND COOLERS IN FRONT/REAR PREP AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.12 INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF MAIN PREP COOLER IN THE COOKING AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • 5-501.115 INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AROUND GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA WITH CLUTTER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD BEHIND GREASE BOX UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND ICE MACHINE. -------MUST SEAL ALL HOLES ON WALL AROUND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 ONE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT DO NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE SHALL COMPLETE AN APPROVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROGRAM.
  4. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE AND SERVICE IN PREP COOLER (AIR TEMPERATURE 0F 55.2F) NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEM: ITALIAN BEEF AT 56.4F, SLICED TURKEY HAM AT 59.4F, SLICED TOMATOES AT 56.8F, MEATBALLS AT 62.3F, ITALIAN SAUSAGE AT 63.1F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF ABOVE 135.0F. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. TOTAL VALUE $ 50.00, TOTAL WEIGHT 5 LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • FOUND PREP COOLER WITH TCS FOODS (ITALIAN BEEF, MEATBALLS, SLICED TURKEY HAM, SLICED TOMATOES, ITALIAN SAUSAGE ETC) NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, COOLING EQUIPMENT WITH TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF BELOW 41.0F. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO FIX. PREP COOLER IS TAGGED 'HELD FOR INSPECTION'. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED (SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR ETC).
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD INSECTS/ROACHES UNDER AND BEHIND COOLERS IN FRONT/REAR PREP AREA.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF MAIN PREP COOLER IN THE COOKING AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT EXTERIOR SURFACES OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE AROUND GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA WITH CLUTTER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD BEHIND GREASE BOX UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND ICE MACHINE. -------MUST SEAL ALL HOLES ON WALL AROUND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • ONE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT DO NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE SHALL COMPLETE AN APPROVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROGRAM.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR GUARD OF ICE MACHINE WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP SURFACES WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE DAMAGED CEILING PANELS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DAMAGED CEILING PANELS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOME DIRT-BUILD UP ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • 3-304.12 OBSERVED PLASTIC ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE SODA ICE BIN. MUST PROVIDE A CLEAN CONTAINER FOR THE ICE SCOOP.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON-PREMISES.
  7. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NO CALIBRATED METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A CALIBRATED METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON PREMISES BY THE DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED PLASTIC ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE SODA ICE BIN. MUST PROVIDE A CLEAN CONTAINER FOR THE ICE SCOOP.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD AND DIRT BUILD-UP ON THE FLOOR IN PREP AREAS ALONG WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON-PREMISES.

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