CHICAGO, IL - An inspection on 08/14/2025 at Little Caesar Pizza #1648 uncovered significant health code violations.
Little Caesar Pizza #1648 is positioned at 2601 W Cermak Road Chicago Illinois in the Lower West Side area, drawing neighborhood patrons and tourists.
According to inspection records: "Observed no certified food manager on site with the original city of chicago food service manager certificate. 2023. Instructed certified food manager must be on site at all times with the original city of chicago food service manager certificate." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
The examination revealed violations related to sanitation, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper sanitation protocols. The Food Safety Modernization Act clearly states that The FDA Food Code establishes comprehensive sanitation requirements that form the foundation of safe food service operations.
The examination revealed violations related to hand washing, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate hand washing procedures. As outlined in FDA Hand Washing Standards, The CDC emphasizes that inadequate hand washing contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
The inspection identified violations related to pest control, an important area of food safety.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate pest control procedures. As outlined in FDA Pest Control Guidelines, The FDA Food Code mandates that food storage areas remain free from pest contamination at all times. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
Such infractions require attention for the business to maintain compliance with community safety standards. Public health officials note that addressing these violations helps maintain trust in dining establishments.
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.
These findings underscore the essential nature of comprehensive health compliance in restaurant operations. Community members should feel empowered to examine health department findings when choosing restaurants.
| Inspection ID | 2622279 |
| 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 | 08/14/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint Re-Inspection |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. A SERVSAFE CERTIFICATE FOR A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WAS PROVIDED WITH AN EXAM DATE OF 2023. 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 | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments | 3-302.12: OBSERVED DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES WITH NOT LABELED WITH COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN. | 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | 3-307.11: 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: 2-402.11: 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 | 5-501.17: 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: 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE FOOD HANDLER COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE. | 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: 8-404.13 (B:3) OBSERVED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #38:STILL NOTED OVER 25 SMALL FLYING INSECTS AND 3 BIG FLIES THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREAS ON WALLS NEAR THE TOILET ROOM |
| Latitude | 41.85185721101665 |
| Longitude | -87.69066121876153 |
| Location | (41.85185721101665 |
This inspection was conducted on August 14, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: sanitation, hand-washing, pest-control.
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.
