CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at THE NEW CONGRESS PIZZA in an inspection dated 08/12/2025.
The facility operates from 3737 W GRAND AVE in Humboldt Park, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 2 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation related to hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Observed an Opeing in the Lower Wall Under the Mop Sink in the Rear Prep Area. Instructed to Seal and Maintain to Prevent Potential Pest Entry Points.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The second violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: Previous Core Violation Corrected - Comments: Observed Previous Core Violations Not Corrected From 05/13/2025, Report #2617356 #37:3-302.12: Observed Squirt Bottles Not Labeled in the Rear Food Prep Area. Instructed to Label and Maintain. #49: 4-601.11(b): Observed the Ice Shield and Above the Ice with Slight Black-like Substance Buildup. Instructed to Remove Ice, Clean, and Sanitize the Ice Machine and Maintain. Priority Foundation:7-42-090, Citation Issued. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/12/2025 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED AN OPEING IN THE LOWER WALL UNDER THE MOP SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PEST ENTRY POINTS.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 05/13/2025, REPORT #2617356 #37:3-302.12: OBSERVED SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN. #49: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE ICE SHIELD AND ABOVE THE ICE WITH SLIGHT BLACK-LIKE SUBSTANCE BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE THE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: 4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE HOT HOLDING UNIT USED FOR PREPACKAGED PIZZA SLICES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12: OBSERVED SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 4-301.12: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING THREE SINK STOPPERS FOR THE WAREWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE ICE SHIELD AND ABOVE THE ICE WITH SLIGHT BLACK-LIKE SUBSTANCE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.; HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED, POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. FOOD HANDLER BLEW INSIDE GLOVE WITH MOUTH, PUT HAND INSIDE GLOVE, AND STARTED TO PREPARE FOOD. ALSO, OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WIPING HANDS ON WIPING CLOTH USED TO WIPE SURFACES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROPERLY WASH HANDS AFTER ANY POSSIBLE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION. ALSO, REFRAIN FROM USING WIPING CLOTHS FOR HANDS. EMPLOYEE WASHED HANDS ONCE NOTIFIED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER DISHWASHING AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT HAVING BASINS SET UP TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT ALWAYS SETS UP THE WAREWASHING SINK WHEN WASHING EQUIPMENT. THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD THE EMPLOYEE SET UP THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS ITEMS INSIDE OF A THREE DOOR COOLER, IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. FOUND CHICKEN WINGS (47.8F), CHICKEN THIGHS (48.0F), PORK (48.7-50.0F), 8-1 QUART BOTTLES OF HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM (49.3F). MANAGER DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 38LBS AT $277 WORTH OF PRODUCT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF A THREE DOOR REFRIGERATOR AT 51.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON UNIT. PLEASE REVIEW COMMENTS FOR TAG REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE HOT HOLDING UNIT USED FOR PREPACKAGED PIZZA SLICES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 2 LIVE ROACHES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. 1 ROACH WAS FOUND CRAWLING ON EMPLOYEE SHIRT AND UNDER THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE ROACH ACTIVITY AND MAINTAIN. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING THREE SINK STOPPERS FOR THE WAREWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE ICE SHEILD AND ABOVE THE ICE WITH SLIGHT BLACK-LIKE SUBSTANCE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIB.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SUBSTANCE WITH SLIMY APPEARANCE ON FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF CHUTE PLATE AND INTERIOR CAVITY OF ICE MACHINE IN REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ICE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DISCARDED ALL ICE AND CLEANED AND SANITIZED ALL FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO INTERIOR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE PROVIDED IN UPRIGHT COOLER IN FRONT PIZZA PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSIDE ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIWEABLE LOCATION AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE-USE STYROFOAM CUP USED AS A SCOOP IN SEVERAL BULK DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SINGLE-USE CUPS AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ONSITE, AT THE START TIME OF INSPECTION AT 3:10PM, WHILE TCS, TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY, FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN, PORK, AND BEEF ARE BEING PREPARED, SERVED AND/OR STORED. CERTIFIED MANAGER MARIA MEDRANO ARRIVED ON SITE AT 3:18PM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR CHUTE OF ICE MACHINE AND SURROUNDING SURFACE SOILED WITH DEBRIS WHICH APPEARS AS A PINK SLIME AND/OR BLACK SUBSTANCE. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO DISPOSE OF ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS, TEMPERATURE AND TIME CONTROL FOR SAFETY, FOODS (PORK SAUSAGE AND TOMATO SAUCE) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 50.2F AND 53.2F, RESPECTIVELY. APPROXIMATELY 20LBS OF PORK SAUSAGE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $40 TOSSED IN THE GARBAGE AND DENATURED ALONG WITH APPROXIMATELY 15LBS OF TOMATO SAUCE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $25 ALSO TOSSED OUT AND DENATURED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED, IN THE REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER UNIT(S) NEAR THE BACK PREPARATION AREA, IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSTEAD OF USING FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS OR FREEZER BAGS.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES.NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED; PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE EATING IN THE PREP LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO EAT AT THE PREP AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF OTHER FOODS BEEN PREPARED.; PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED LASAGNA, PASTA) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED SUGAR, SALT AND GARLIC OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 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; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 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.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE IN REAR, DUST BUILDUP ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF PIZZA OVEN AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK CONTAINERS AND COOLERS IN PIZZA PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE HOOD VENTILATION FILTERS WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF HELPING PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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