⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 1 (High)

PIZANO'S Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PIZANO'S 61-65 E MADISON ST, CHICAGO 60603 Restaurant
August 7, 2019 Complaint License #2363040
15
Total Violations
4
Critical
4
Major
7
Minor
1
Corrected On Site

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

15
Violation #16
CRITICAL
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED SELF-SERVE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE ON THE TOP PANEL OF THE UNIT, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.
All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE BASEMENT WALK IN COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: RAW CHICKEN WINGS MEASURED BETWEEN 49F-55F (40LBS VALUED AT $120) AND PREP CHICKEN BREAST 59.7F (20LBS VALUED AT $50) MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF A TOTAL OF 60LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $170.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.
Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.
Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.
Violation #25
MINOR
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND NO REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS (EX. COOKED TO ORDER BURGER OFFERED). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND REMINDER ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.
Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.
Violation #36
MINOR
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS UNITS.
Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.
Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.
50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED PEST ACTIVITY WITH APPROX. 30 SMALL FLIES NOTED DURING INSPECTION. SMALL FLY ACTIVITY WAS NOTED NEAR THE MAIN FLOOR DISH MACHINE, BASEMENT PREP AREA WHERE TO-GO CARDBOARD BOXES ARE STORED, NEAR DRY STORAGE AND MAIN FLOOR FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT PEST CONTROL AS ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE ACTIVITY PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.
No pests or animals allowed in facility.
No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS AND BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED ON COUNTER SURFACES IN ALL PREP AND DISH AREAS. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS AND ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVING RACKS IN THE WALK IN FREEZER. ALSO NOTED STANDING WATER INSIDE REACH IN COOLER AT THE BAR WHERE BEERS ARE STORED. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: REFER TO VIOLATION #60
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING WATER FROM THE TOP PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE AND 1-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. ALSO NOTED WAS THE COLD WATER NOZZLE MISSING TO HANDSINK NEAR DISH AREA ON MAIN FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK AND PROVIDE NOZZLE.
Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.
Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.
Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.
Violation #53
MAJOR
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.
Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.
Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANEL ABOVE PREP TABLE IN MAIN FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILES.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: REFER TO VIOLATION #60
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN THE CEILING LIGHT UNIT IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.
Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.
Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN THE CEILING LIGHT UNIT IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.
Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.
Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections