CHICAGO, IL - Food safety inspectors found regulatory violations at Little Caesar Pizza #1648 during an inspection on 08/07/2025.
The dining establishment functions from 2601 W Cermak Road Chicago Illinois in South Lawndale, a well-trafficked section of Chicago recognized for its restaurant culture.
Inspectors documented: "Observed no certified food manager on site during the inspection while open and operating. Observed employee washing hands and did not dry them with a hand dryer." This finding indicates a need for compliance with established food safety protocols.
The examination revealed violations related to hand washing, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive hand washing practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Federal guidelines require food service workers to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and warm water. The CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
Among the findings were infractions involving pest control, a key component of food safety protocols.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive pest control practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. The HACCP Prevention Guidelines offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving sanitation, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive sanitation practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Proper sanitation practices prevent cross-contamination and maintain the integrity of food preparation environments. The FDA Sanitation Standards offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
In addition to regulatory requirements, these issues may affect the business's standing and public trust. Community health organizations track health department findings to provide education to local residents.
Regulatory authorities have scheduled an extensive follow-up review to confirm that every infraction has been adequately corrected. Management are required to show complete correction before these violations will be deemed closed.
Food service professionals should take note of important insights from these findings, highlighting the importance of ongoing compliance to health code requirements. Public education continues to be an essential element in ensuring public health protection.
| Inspection ID | 2621912 |
| DBA Name | LITTLE CAESAR PIZZA #1648 |
| AKA Name | LITTLE CAESAR PIZZA #1648 |
| License # | 2224 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 2 (Medium) |
| Address | 2601 W CERMAK RD |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60608 |
| Inspection Date | 08/07/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 |
| CITATION ISSUED | 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments | OBSERVED EMPLOYEE LEAVE THE TOILET ROOM AND DID NOT WASH HANDS UPON ENTERING THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION AND AFTER LEAVING THE TOILET ROOM. PRIORITY 7-38-010 |
| CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments | OBSERVED DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES WITH NOT LABELED WITH COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN. | 38. INSECTS |
| & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments | OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON SITE DURING INSPECTION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN DISHWASHING |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | OBSERVED SPEED RACKS OF UNCOOKED PIZZAS NOT COVERED WHILE PROOFING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO COVER FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN. | 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED MAJORITY FOOD HANDLERS WITH HAIR RESTRAINTS ON WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA |
| PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. | 53. TOILET FACILITIES | PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED |
| & CLEANED - Comments | OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID IN THE ALL-GENDER TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. | 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE FOOD HANDLER COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE. |
| Latitude | 41.85185721101665 |
| Longitude | -87.69066121876153 |
| Location | (41.85185721101665 |
This inspection was conducted on August 7, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: hand-washing, pest-control, sanitation.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
