JUN 12
2025
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
THE WHALE CHICAGO.
EAT. 88/100
2427-31 N MILWAUKEE AVE · LOGAN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Last inspected June 12, 2025 · passed
6 of 7 inspections passed, with 3 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
6 passed · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
24
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
6 YEARS
since Jun 2019
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR GROUT, DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN ENTIRE FRONT & REAR PREP, DRY STORAGE, DISH AREA, AND DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED A BURNED-OUT LIGHT-BULB IN HOOD SYSTEM IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
FEB 102023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
FEB 10
2023
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SOME PREP AREA AND DISHWASH AREA FLOOR TILES WITH LOW GROUT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REGROUT LOW FLOOR TILES AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREAS.
AUG 92022PASSED1 violationDETAILS
AUG 9
2022
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND BOTH BARS AGAINST THE WALLS AND UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT.
AUG 22022FAILED9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 2
2022
FAILED
9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR THE GARDEN AVOCADO TOAST (INCLUDES SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS) ON THE BRUNCH MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ADD THE ASTERISK DENOTING THAT THIS FOOD CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED LIVE RODENT ACTIVITY AND LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED ONE LIVE MOUSE TRAPPED IN THE FLOOR DRAIN BEHIND THE MAIN BAR. MOUSE WAS DISPOSED OF IMMEDIATELY. PEST CONTROL SERVICE WAS ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. ALSO OBSERVED APPROX. 40 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO THE REAR EXIT DOOR. OBSERVED APPROX. 75 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS OF THE BEVERAGE SERVICE CLOSET, AND BEHIND BOTH OF THE BARS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED THE FRONT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH A 1/2" GAP AT THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE DOORS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF ALL OUTER OPENINGS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
CLEAN THE SYRUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE SURFACES BEHIND BOTH BARS.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED THE BEER LINES LEAKING BENEATH THE MAIN BAR ONTO THE TOP OF A BEVERAGE COOLER. MUST REPAIR. DRAIN LINES OR DRAIN COVERS FOR THE BAR SINKS MUST BE RELOCATED TO ELIMINATE SPLASH ONTO THE FLOOR.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE BASEMENT EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
CLEAN THE WASTE RECEPTACLES STACKED AGAINST THE WALL NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND BOTH BARS AGAINST THE WALLS AND UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT. CLEAN THE BASEBOARD AND WALLS BEHIND BOTH BARS. CLEAN ALL FLOOR DRAINS BEHIND THE BARS AND IN THE BEVERAGE SERVICE CLOSET TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CHIPPING PAINT ON THE HVAC SUPPLY VENT ON THE CEILING AT THE END OF THE COOK'S LINE. SEAL THE OPENINGS IN THE CEILING OF THE STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO THE REAR EXIT DOOR.
show all 7 inspections →
JUN 82021PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUN 8
2021
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE BASEMENT LARGE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID ICE MACHINE.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS CONDENSERS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON AND AROUND CEILING VENTILATION COVERS AND CEILING TILES AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
JUN 252019PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 25
2019
PASSED
6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP ALONG BOTTOM AND SIDES OF ALL DOORS AND ROLLING WINDOW DOORS IN DINING AREAS. MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD TRIM AT SMALL BAR COUNTER TOP.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
MUST INSTALL A DUMP SINK IN BEVERAGE PREP AREA TO DISPOSE OF LIQUID WASTE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST SEAL, REPAIR OR REPLACE GAPS IN WALL & WALL BASES IN SERVICE AREA,BAR AREA,WALL OUTLETS,OUTSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER,UNDERSIDES OF BAR COUNTER TOPS,WALL AT LIGHTING.FLOOR TILES NEEDS GROUTING IN BEVERAGE AREA,1ST FL. MOPSINK CLOSET,LARGE BAR AREA AT DRAIN AND WALL.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLERS TRAININGS .MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →