CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at PRIME PIZZERIA during a routine inspection conducted on 08/14/2025.
Situated at 5925 W DIVERSEY AVE, the establishment is part of Belmont Cragin's active food service sector. The Belmont Cragin area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 16. Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: Noted Ice Machine Not Clean. Instructed to Remove Ice and Clean Top Interior Surfaces.. 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. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The second violation concerned pest management. Inspectors documented: 38. Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Noted 1/4th in Gap at Rear Door to Dumpster. Instructed to Provide a Tightseal to Exterior Door to Prevent Pest Entry.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The third violation related to cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 55. Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: 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. 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.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/14/2025 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: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 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; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 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.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 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.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 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; 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; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 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.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 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.; 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.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 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; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 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; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: 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.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 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; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 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.; 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.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND MISSING/BROKEN WALL TILES IN THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR BROKEN TILES AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT..
Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. 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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