Whale Fish & Chicken
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2025
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Whale Fish & Chicken nine times, with records going back to 2015. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 10, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited six times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2025
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF WIPING CLOTHS ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHEESE SLICES STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLER DISPLAY UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS/CONTAINERS ONLY.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVE IMPROPER MOP STORAGE IN A BUCKET IN THE DISHWASH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO HAIR NET/RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS WITH FLOUR NOT IN ITS ORIGINAL FOOD CONTAINERS/PACKAGING FOR CHICKEN, SHRIMP AND FISH WITH NO LABEL IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS.
37
74
Sep 26, 2024
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR WAREWASHING AREA MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRONT SLIDING-DOOR DISPLAY COOLER MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE WHILE COLD-HOLDING TCS FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS USED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PRE-PACKAGED GRAB-AND-GO TAFFY GRAPES AND PUDDING CUPS STORED IN SLIDING-DOOR DISPLAY COOLER FOR SALE TO CONSUMERS MISSING ADEQUATE FOOD LABELS. LISTED FOOD ITEMS ARE FROM LICENSED FOOD MANUFACUTRER: THE CAKE FACTORY AT 13651 KENTON AVE, CRESTWOOD, IL 60418. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE NAME AND ADDRESS OF MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR AND LIST OF INGREDIENTS ON ALL PRE-PACKAGED CONTAINERS FOR DIRECT SALE TO CONSUMERS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE VOLUNTARILY WITHHELD UNLABELED FOOD ITEMS FROM SALE UNTIL ADEQUATE LABELS ARE RECEIVED FROM MANUFACTURER.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INSECT CONTROL DEVICE INSTALLED ABOVE FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR RELOCATE INSECT CONTROL DEVICE SO THAT IT IS NOT ABOVE FOOD, EQUIPMENT, OR UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.
38
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 1/2" GAP BETWEEN REAR EXTERIOR DOOR AND DOOR FRAME ON ALL SIDES OF DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE EXTERIOR DOOR TO ELIMINATE GAP BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME AND PROTECT OUTER OPENINGS FROM PESTS AND MAINTAIN.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PAPER CUP USED AS A SCOOP IN DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SINGLE-USE UTENSIL AND REPLACE WITH MULTI-USE UTENSIL WITH A HANDLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH FOOD PREP TABLE AND DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELF ON EASTERN WALL OF FACILITY (NEAR WALK-IN FREEZER AND WATER HEATER) TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND HEAVY DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Dec 4, 2023
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WHITE TO GO CONTAINERS ABOVE HOT HOLDING AREA AND ALUMINUM FOIL PANS UNDERNEATH PREP TABLE IN FRONT NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL EQUIPMENT DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKET ON EASTSIDE DOOR OF THREE DOOR LARGE COLD HOLDING UNIT ACROSS FROM THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MIDDLE AND WESTSIDE DOOR OF SMALL COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED GSKETS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED TOP OF SMALL WHITE SHELVING UNIT IN SMALL REAR STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TOP SHELF OR REPLACE CART.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SODA BOTTLES IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM AND BOX OF WHITE BAGS IN PREP AREA STORED ON FLOOR AND SODA CRATES AND BLUE PALLETS USED FOR ELEVATION IN WALKIN COOLER AND WALKIN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY AND TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ON TOP SURFACE OF KNIFE RACK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED, DAMAGED OR MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY, IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM, DISHWASHING AREA, FRONT PREP AND WAITING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED, DAMAGED OR MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILDUP IN CORNERS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN STOREROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CORNERS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN STOREROOM. OBSERVED BUILDUP ALONG WALLS AND IN CORNERS IN FRONT PREP AREA ON WESTSIDE WALL. OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BUILDUP ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SMALL THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UNDERNEATH SMALL THRRE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS OF WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING VENT COVERS IN WASHROOM AND IN FRONT PREP IN FRONT OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENT COVERS AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THREE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT AND VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
57
67
May 15, 2019
Complaint
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: **PREMISES HAS NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: **PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODES OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED THE PALLETS IN THE WIC AND FREEZER ARE DIRTY. MUST DETAIL CLEAN TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
47
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHES WHEN NOT IN USE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION. NOTED CLOTHES LYING ON TABLES AND THE SINKS.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTER, GREASE, SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED ALL SINK FIXTURE ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND GREASE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FILTERS AND HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND DUST.
56
61
Mar 22, 2018
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GASKETS AT GLASS THREE DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT REAR WORN AWAY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR GASKETS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER DIRTY.INSTRUCTED MANGEMENT TO CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT BURNT OUT UNDER HOT LINE HOOD AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT AND LIGHT SHIELD.
36
86
Nov 27, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 16, 2017
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS, AT FRONT COOK LINE EXPOSED HAND SINK, AS WELL AS REAR EXPOSED HAND SINK, NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INFORMED MANAGER THAT PAPER TOWELS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS WHENEVER FOODS ARE PREPARED AND OR SERVED. MANAGER VOLUNTARY CORRECTED VIOLATION DURING INSPECTION. CRITCAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
12
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT 1954133 DATE 09/09/2016, NOT CORRECTED. SERIOUS VIOLATION # 7-42-090 32 MUST REPLACE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE 3 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR OF PREMISES INFORMED MANAGER TO CORRECT SAID VIOLATION BEFORE RE INSPECTION DATE: 11/23/17
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE BULK FOODS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINER WHILE IN STORAGE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON VENTS ABOVE FRONT COUNTER, ON EMPLOYEE SIDE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. RESERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN BEVERAGE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNED-OUT LIGHT DIRECTLY ABOVE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IT ALL TIME.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL LEAK AT MAIN FAUCET TWIST VALVE, IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR OF OPERATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
74
Sep 9, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE 3 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR OF PREMISES
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE REAR OF PREMISES AND FRONT PREP AREA,ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS,ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DEEP FRYERS,REMOVE GREASE BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA
34
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE AT PREP AREA
43
86
Jan 13, 2015
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOOSE. FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: FOUND NO STEM THERMOMETERS AT BUSINESS.
40
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Whale Fish & Chicken last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Whale Fish & Chicken on file is from Mar 10, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Whale Fish & Chicken?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Whale Fish & Chicken.
Has Whale Fish & Chicken's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Whale Fish & Chicken have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Whale Fish & Chicken means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Whale Fish & Chicken inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Whale Fish & Chicken is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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