Congress Pizzeria

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Aug 27, 2026 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approximately 50 mouse droppings on the floor of the rear storage area behind the chest freezer and under the storage shelves. Management instructed to clean and remove all rodent droppings from all affected areas. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food containers stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

2. May 14, 2026 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

3. May 7, 2026 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   5 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food stored in containers in all the coolers without proper labeling of name. Instructed to person in charge to provide a label reflecting the food item's name when food has been remove from its original packaging.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approximately 40 mouse droppings on the floor of dining/break area bar floor, behind cold-hold unit, behind reach in freezer, on storage rack in hot cooking area, behind hot cooking equipment, in small corner next to pizza oven, on floor in corner near unused equipment. Management instructed to clean and remove all rodent droppings from all affected areas. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation.#7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates being used as shelving in rear dining/break area. Must remove and provide shelving that is at least 6' off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed excess unused/broken equipment stored on premises in multiple areas. Instructed to remove unused/uneccesary articles from premises to prevent pest harborage.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the ventilation hood and filters above the cooking equipment in need of cleaning. Instructed to detail clean and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

4. Aug 14, 2025 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   1 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Noted ice machine not clean. Instructed to remove ice and clean top interior surfaces.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Noted 1/4th in gap at rear door to dumpster. Instructed to provide a tightseal to exterior door to prevent pest entry.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted clutter throughout facility in hall way between kitchen and dining area, in southeast corner of kitchen near storage closet and throughought basement. Instructed to remove all unused equipment and unnecessary items to business from business. All kept items are to be stored on proper shelving that is smooth and easy to clean and a minimum of 6 inches off the ground

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

5. Jan 15, 2025 Conditional

   Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical7 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no paper towels at exposed hand washing sink washroom in employee washroom and handwashing sink in front of employeee washroom. Instructed to maintain paper towels at all exposed hand washing sinks at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tcs foods held at improper internal temperatures in the front 3 door prep cold holding unit, such as 15lbs of chicken at 45-47.9f. Manager discarded and denatured a total 15lbs at $50. All cold tcs food must maintain 41f or below. Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed items out of the original containers and in containers without labels containing the product name. Instructed to label all foods and spices with common name that are out of the original containers.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed aluminium foil used as liner on shelving units in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Noted some use of milk crates for elevation at the kitchen area. Instructed not to use milk crates for elevation to prevent hiding places for pest. Must provide appropriate shelving for storage. All food items must also be stored 6" away from the wall

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the inside of the deep fryer oil filtering unit with a build up of grease and food debris. Instructed to clean and maintain all

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Found the three compartment sink not maintained; sink is slow draining. When water from one compartment is drained; water backs up into adjacent compartments. Instructed management to get drainage system serviced. Backing up had been fix by the next day when i returned to finsh the report and issue citation. Priority foundation 7-38-025. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease and food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in utility and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago food sanitation manager on site while tcs foods are being prepped (such as chicken). Instructed must have a city of chicago food sanitation manager on site at all times when tcs foods are being prepped/served. Instructed must post a valid city of chicago food sanitation manager certification in plain view of customers at all times.priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

6. Jun 17, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical7 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no paper towels at exposed hand washing sink washroom in employee washroom, men washroom and hamdwashing sink in bar and handwashing sink in front of employeee washroom. Instructed to maintain paper towels at all exposed hand washing sinks at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation combined with above violation.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand soap available at handsink in men washroom and handwashroom in the bar area. Instructed to provide handsoap at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030 (c) citation issued

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tcs foods at improper temperature requirement stored in walk-in cooler and 3 door prep cooler (air temperature of 53.4f-57.3f). Found internal temperature of the following food products. Ribs at 47.8f and chicken at 49.7f instructed all tcs foods must maintain cold holding temperature of below 41.0f and hot holding temperature of above 135.0f. Operator voluntarily discarded and denatured foods during inspection. Priority violationi 7-38-005. Citation issued

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

     Inspector’s note: Observed walk-in cooler not maintaining proper temperature 53.4f and 3 door prep cooler at 57.0f. Manager came someone to fix it during writing my report. Instructed manager to repair and maintain cooler at 41f or below. Prep cooler is tagged held for inspection and must not be used until reinspected by chicago department of health. Priority 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Noted some use of milk crates for elevation at the kitchen area, and dry storage area. Instructed not to use milk crates for elevation to prevent hiding places for pest. Must provide appropriate shelving for storage. All food items must also be stored 6" away from the wall

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed aluminium foil used as liner on shelving units in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the inside of the deep fryer oil filtering unit with a build up of grease and food debris. Instructed to clean and maintain all

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease and food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found missing/broken wall tiles in the dish machine. Instructed to repair broken tiles and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in utility and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago food sanitation manager on site while tcs foods are being prepped (such as pork, chicken). Instructed must have a city of chicago food sanitation manager on site at all times when tcs foods are being prepped/served. Instructed must post a valid city of chicago food sanitation manager certification in plain view of customers at all times.priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

7. May 15, 2023 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean grease spills on front end of outside grease oil container.

     Official wording (code 52)

     Sewage & waste water properly disposed

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-201.11--found the walls in the pizza packing area stained yellow. Found puddle of water under dish machine. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

8. Mar 27, 2023 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed 4 dead cockroaches in closet adjacent to employee toilet room. Must remove. Manager removed cockroaches premises during inspection.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found the walls in the pizza packing area stained yellow. Found puddle of water under dish machine. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

9. Jun 1, 2022 Pass

   License Re-Inspection · Pass

   7 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found missing/broken wall base tiles underneath the dish machine, in the customer pick up area hallway, and inside the handicap stall in the womens restroom. Instructed to repair wall base tiles and maintain. Found a leak coming from the basement entrance area ceiling. Instructed management to stop leak and repair ceiling.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found the walls in the pizza packing area stained yellow. Noted heavy dirt and grime build up inside the floor drain in the dish area. Instructed management to detail clean walls and floor drain and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted peeling paint on the ceiling in the dishwashing area. Instructed to repair and provide a smooth cleanable ceiling and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted unnecessary articles stored in the basement area in the rear corner/nook. Must remove all equipment and articles that are unnecessary to the operation, detail clean area, and store remaining items on shelving off the floor to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide a working mechanical ventilation fan in both the mens and womens restrooms.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted heavy dust build up on the metal fan/ventilation located on the rear exit door wall. Instructed management to clean.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted burned out light bulbs in the mens washroom, and inadequate lighting in the bar area. Instructed management to replace burned out bulbs, and provide adequate lighting in said areas.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

10. May 27, 2022 Fail

    License Re-Inspection · Fail

    1 critical8 general Show violations

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

      Inspector’s note: Noted ambient air temperature of the pizza-prep cooler in the packing area to be improper at 45f (top rail) and 48f (underneath). Instructed to repair equipment to proper temperature of 41f and below. Priority violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found grease and dirt build up inside both fryers on the cooks line. Instructed management to detail clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found missing/broken wall base tiles underneath the dish machine, in the customer pick up area hallway, and inside the handicap stall in the womens restroom. Instructed to repair wall base tiles and maintain. Found a leak coming from the basement entrance area ceiling. Instructed management to stop leak and repair ceiling.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found the walls in the pizza packing area stained yellow. Noted heavy dirt and grime build up inside the floor drain in the dish area. Instructed management to detail clean walls and floor drain and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted peeling paint on the ceiling inside the womens restroom and in the dishwashing area. Instructed to repair and provide a smooth cleanable ceiling and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted unnecessary articles stored in the basement area in the rear corner/nook. Must remove all equipment and articles that are unnecessary to the operation, detail clean area, and store remaining items on shelving off the floor to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Must provide a working mechanical ventilation fan in both the mens and womens restrooms.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Noted heavy dust build up on the metal fan/ventilation located on the rear exit door wall. Instructed management to clean.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Noted burned out light bulbs in the mens washroom, and inadequate lighting in the bar area. Instructed management to replace burned out bulbs, and provide adequate lighting in said areas.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

11. May 25, 2022 Fail

    License · Fail

    1 critical12 general Show violations

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

      Inspector’s note: Observed mutliple coolers not maintaining proper temperature: noted temperature of the pizza-prep cooler in the packing area to be improper at 51f, the temperature of the cooks line 3-door prep cooler to be improper at 50f, and the temperature of the 3-door (left) cooler in the bar to be improper at 59f. Instructed to repair equipment to proper temperature of 41f and below. Priority violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

      Inspector’s note: Found the three compartment sink not maintained; sink is slow draining. When water from one compartment is drained; water backs up into adjacent compartments. Instructed management to get drainage system serviced. Priority foundation 7-38-025.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found grease and dirt build up inside both fryers on the cooks line. Instructed management to detail clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed leaks at the sprayer arm in the dish area and at the dish area three compartment sink faucet base. Instructed management to repair.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Noted no running water at the bar area three compartment sink. Instructed management to turn on water/repair three compartment sink to a water temperature of at least 110f and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Noted outside grease container not maintained with thick layer of grease on top of the lid. Instructed to detail clean and maintain grease container and its surrounding. Priority foundation 7-38-020(b).

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found missing/broken wall base tiles underneath the dish machine, in the customer pick up area hallway, and inside the handicap stall in the womens restroom. Instructed to repair wall base tiles and maintain. Found a leak coming from the basement entrance area ceiling. Instructed management to stop leak and repair ceiling.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found the walls in the pizza packing area stained yellow. Noted heavy dirt and grime build up inside the floor drain in the dish area. Instructed management to detail clean walls and floor drain and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted peeling paint on the ceiling inside the womens restroom and in the dishwashing area. Instructed to repair and provide a smooth cleanable ceiling and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted unnecessary articles stored in the basement area in the rear corner/nook. Must remove all equipment and articles that are unnecessary to the operation, detail clean area, and store remaining items on shelving off the floor to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Noted burned out light bulbs in the mens washroom, and inadequate lighting in the bar area. Instructed management to replace burned out bulbs, and provide adequate lighting in said areas.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Noted heavy dust build up on the metal fan/ventilation located on the rear exit door wall. Instructed management to clean.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Must provide a working mechanical ventilation fan in both the mens and womens restrooms.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used