⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️

WHALE FISH AND CHICKEN

4955 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Type: Restaurant

Risk Level: Risk 2 (Medium)

🍽️ Cuisine: Seafood

📍 Neighborhood: Austin

License #: 1356889

42
Total Inspections
27
Passed
10
Failed
5
Conditional
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
Last Result

Inspection History

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

Oct 22, 2025 Inspection

October 22, 2025• Short Form Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CERTIFICATE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS...(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 12, 2025 Inspection

September 12, 2025• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINKS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Oct 1, 2024 Inspection

October 1, 2024• Complaint Re-Inspection• 1 violation

Violation: 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.13 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE/OFFICE AREAS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD DE...

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 24, 2024 Inspection

September 24, 2024• Canvass Re-Inspection• 2 violations

Violation: 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE/OFFICE AREAS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS, TRA...(+1 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 12, 2024 Inspection

September 12, 2024• Complaint Re-Inspection• 4 violations

Violation: 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TESTING INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION...(+3 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 10, 2024 Inspection

September 10, 2024• Complaint• 5 violations

Violation: 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA HANDSINK WITHOUT HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED PREP AREA IN...(+4 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jan 26, 2024 Inspection

January 26, 2024• Canvass Re-Inspection• 6 violations

Violation: 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINKS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.(+5 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Jan 17, 2024 Inspection

January 17, 2024• Complaint• 8 violations

Violation: 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINKS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.(+7 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Feb 22, 2023 Inspection

February 22, 2023• Complaint• 5 violations

Violation: 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARD BOARD BEING USED AS A LINING ON FLOOR AREAS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED ...(+4 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Apr 7, 2022 Inspection

April 7, 2022• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARD BOARD BEING USED AS A LINING ON SHELVES AND FLOOR AREAS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY....(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Oct 6, 2020 Inspection

October 6, 2020• Complaint Re-Inspection• 5 violations

Violation: 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLERS NEAR THE FRIERS. INSTRUCTED TO REP(+4 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 28, 2020 Inspection

September 28, 2020• Complaint• 8 violations

Violation: 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APP...(+7 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Apr 9, 2020 Inspection

April 9, 2020• Complaint Re-Inspection• 1 violation

Violation: 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Mar 31, 2020 Inspection

March 31, 2020• Complaint• 8 violations

Violation: 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APP...(+7 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

Aug 6, 2018 Inspection

August 6, 2018• Complaint Re-Inspection• 3 violations

Violation: 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVID...(+2 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Aug 2, 2018 Inspection

August 2, 2018• Complaint Re-Inspection• 9 violations

Violation: 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CERTIFICATE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS A...(+8 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Jul 16, 2018 Inspection

July 16, 2018• Complaint• 11 violations

Violation: 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVI...(+10 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Dec 8, 2017 Inspection

December 8, 2017• Short Form Complaint• 2 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED RAW WOOD SHELVING USED INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST SEAL ...(+1 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

May 18, 2017 Inspection

May 18, 2017• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: NOTED RACKS DIRTY WERE BULK STORAGE CONTATINERS ARE STORED. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE DEBRIS.(+2 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 8, 2016 Inspection

September 8, 2016• Short Form Complaint• 1 violation

Violation: 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MNAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREP AREA AND...

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jan 6, 2016 Inspection

January 6, 2016• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVES INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jul 1, 2015 Inspection

July 1, 2015• Complaint• 5 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN BOTTOM SECTION OF FRYERS TO REMOVE LIGHT AMOUNT OF GREASE OBSERVED. CLEAN INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATI...(+4 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Oct 31, 2014 Inspection

October 31, 2014• Short Form Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: Inspector Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM ALL COOLERS,COUNTER TOPS,S...(+3 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 26, 2014 Inspection

September 26, 2014• Complaint Re-Inspection• 5 violations

Violation: 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SU...(+4 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 24, 2014 Inspection

September 24, 2014• Short Form Complaint• 6 violations

Violation: 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK NOT MAINTAINED.OBSERVED COLD WATER FAUCET HANDLE MISSING NOT ABLE TO TURN ON COLD W...(+5 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Apr 15, 2014 Inspection

April 15, 2014• Short Form Complaint• 1 violation

Violation: 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILLET DOOR.

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Mar 27, 2014 Inspection

March 27, 2014• Canvass• 4 violations

Violation: 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: MEATS AND FISH IN WALK IN COOLER NOT LABELED AND DATED. INSTRUCTED TO DATE AND LABEL ALL FOODS NOT IN ...(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Aug 29, 2013 Inspection

August 29, 2013• Short Form Complaint• 3 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST CLEAN THE THREE DOOR FREEZED HAS FOOD DEBRIS ALL OVER INSIDE THE UNIT . CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE THE...(+2 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jul 9, 2013 Inspection

July 9, 2013• Complaint• 3 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST CLEAN THE THREE DOOR FREEZED HAS FOOD DEBRIS ALL OVER INSIDE THE UNIT . CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE TH...(+2 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Mar 5, 2013 Inspection

March 5, 2013• Canvass• 5 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST CLEAN WALKIN COOLER, REACH IN FREEZER, DEEP FRYER, SHELVING UNITS.(+4 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Oct 24, 2012 Inspection

October 24, 2012• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS INSIDE.(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jul 19, 2012 Inspection

July 19, 2012• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: Floors in corners and along wallbase in storage area and outside storage shed not ...(+3 more)

FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

Nov 2, 2011 Inspection

November 2, 2011• Short Form Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: All necessary control measures shall be used to e...(+3 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

Sep 1, 2011 Inspection

September 1, 2011• Short Form Complaint• 5 violations

Violation: 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: All hot food shall be stored at a temperature of 140F or higher.OBSERVED IMPROPE...(+4 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Mar 10, 2011 Inspection

March 10, 2011• Complaint• 3 violations

Violation: 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected fro...(+2 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jun 22, 2010 Inspection

June 22, 2010• Short Form Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, an...(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Mar 11, 2010 Inspection

March 11, 2010• Short Form Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, an...(+3 more)

PASS Risk 2 (Medium)

Jan 25, 2010 Inspection

January 25, 2010• Complaint• 4 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, an...(+3 more)

Health Department Contact

Department: Chicago Department of Public Health

Division: Food Protection Program

Report Issues: Call 311 or File Online

More Information: Chicago Food Protection

Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections