⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 2 (Medium)

WHALE FISH & CHICKEN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

WHALE FISH & CHICKEN 5650 W DIVISION ST, CHICAGO 60651
August 1, 2023 Complaint License #2881903
16
Total Violations
2
Critical
3
Major
11
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

16
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE INSECTS CONTROL, FOUND ABOUT 5 LIVE ROACHES SCATTERED THROUGH OUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE INSECTS ACTIVITY IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS, PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.
No pests or animals allowed in facility.
No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
Violation #45
MINOR
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: STORE ALL TO GO CONTAINERS INVERTED. ALL TO GO CONTAINERS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM DIRT AND DUST.
Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.
Single-use items must be protected from contamination.
Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SHELVING IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA MADE OF UNSEALED WOOD. FOUND RUSTY METAL SHELVES INSIDE THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER AND INSIDE THE BEVERAGE AIR UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT, AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST SEAL WOOD SHELVES, AND REPAINT/REFINISH THE METAL SHELVING TO REMOVE RUST.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE COOLERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #47
MINOR
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
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS NOT CLEAN, WATER STAINED, DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #49
MINOR
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.
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #54
MAJOR
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER LID BROKEN AND LID NOT TIGHTLY FITTING CAUSING LOTS OF FLIES IN DUMPSTER AREA. MUST REPLACE LIDS TO BE TIGHT FITTING.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAR LIQUID POOLING ON FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST KEEP FLOORS CLEAN AND DRY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL DEAD ROACHES ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
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.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections