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HAROLD'S CHICKEN

1505 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60607 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HAROLD'S CHICKEN has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 6, 2024. The most recent inspection, on May 19, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 16, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on December 9, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 10 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2026. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 2 times on May 19, 2026. For example: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

8 inspections

  1. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, FISH), NOR CERTIFICATE POSTED. INSTD TO HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH CERTIFICATE POSTED. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MULTI USE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (LARGE GREY TUBS) IMPROPERLY STORED ON CARBDBOARD LINED GREASE TRAP. INSTD TO REMOVE AND STORE IN PROPER LOCATION TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CARDOBOARD LINING ON GREASE TRAP, PREP TABLES AND BOTTOM SHELVES OF PREP TABLES. RUSTY SURFACE ON EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP. INSTD TO REMOVE CARBDBOARD, ELIMINATE RUST AND MAINTAIN SAID SURFACES SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CARDBOARD LINING ON WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER FLOORS. INSTD TO REMOVE CARDBOARD LINING AND MAINTAIN FLOOR SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • HOOD FILTERS WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS, STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELVES AND PREP TABLES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.
  3. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. THE SINK IS CLOGGED WITH WATER BACKED UP IN THE SINK AND WILL NOT DRAIN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK SO THAT IT CAN USED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS, STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELVES AND PREP TABLES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • 5-103.11(B): NO HOT WATER PROVIDED THROUGHTOUT THE PREMISES. THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WAS AT 70F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE 100F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-501.14: CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES FOR ANY OF THE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  6. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, PREP TABLES, STORAGE SHELVES AND DEEP FRYERS.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • NO HOT WATER PROVIDED THROUGHTOUT THE PREMISES. THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WAS AT 70F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE 100F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES FOR ANY OF THE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  7. License

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  8. License

    0 infractions

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