WHALE FISH & CHICKEN.

Chicago Health Dept

3600 W CHICAGO AVE · HUMBOLDT PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2025).

9 inspections on record since 2015 · Last inspected Mar 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 10

2025

PASS 6 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO HAIR NET/RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF WIPING CLOTHS ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED CHEESE SLICES STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLER DISPLAY UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS/CONTAINERS ONLY.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVE IMPROPER MOP STORAGE IN A BUCKET IN THE DISHWASH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.

SEP 26

2024

PASS 7 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

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.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

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.

Minor Facility Condition

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

Minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

DEC 4

2023

PASS 8 violations

Minor Food Temperature

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

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.

Minor Food Temperature

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

Minor Pest Activity

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST ON TOP SURFACE OF KNIFE RACK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

Minor Food Temperature

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING VENT COVERS IN WASHROOM AND IN FRONT PREP IN FRONT OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENT COVERS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED THREE EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT AND VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

MAY 15

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

**PREMISES HAS NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

**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.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHES WHEN NOT IN USE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION. NOTED CLOTHES LYING ON TABLES AND THE SINKS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

NOTED THE PALLETS IN THE WIC AND FREEZER ARE DIRTY. MUST DETAIL CLEAN TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTER, GREASE, SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED ALL SINK FIXTURE ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS NEED CLEANING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND GREASE.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST CLEAN THE FILTERS AND HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND DUST.

MAR 22

2018

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED GASKETS AT GLASS THREE DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT REAR WORN AWAY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR GASKETS.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER DIRTY.INSTRUCTED MANGEMENT TO CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

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.

show all 9 inspections →

NOV 27

2017

PASS · 0 violations

NOV 16

2017

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

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

Serious Facility Condition

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

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

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE BULK FOODS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINER WHILE IN STORAGE.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

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.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

OBSERVED BURNED-OUT LIGHT DIRECTLY ABOVE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IT ALL TIME.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

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.

SEP 9

2016

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST REPLACE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE 3 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR OF PREMISES

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE AT PREP AREA

JAN 13

2015

PASS 2 violations

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

FOUND FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOOSE. FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

FOUND NO STEM THERMOMETERS AT BUSINESS.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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