Skip to content
Loading map…

WHALE FISH AND CHICKEN

5650 W DIVISION ST, CHICAGO, IL 60651 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WHALE FISH AND CHICKEN has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 23, 2011. The most recent inspection, on March 11, 2016, found no infractions.

5 of 12 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2015. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 19, 2014. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on May 31, 2013. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 18 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2015. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2015. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY AT PREMISES. OBSERVED ABOUT 60 FRUIT FLIES ON WALLS AT REAR OF PREMISES AND BY DISHWASHING AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-020. MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FOUND FOOD AND NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES NOT CLEAN. (TABLES, INTERIOR OF COOLERS, SHELVING UNITS,ETC.) MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN THROUGHOUT KITCHEN AREAS AND REAR OF PREMISES.(EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS) MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FOUND WALLS NOT CLEAN AT REAR OF PREMISES.(FOOD SPLATTER). MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • FOUND CLUTTER STORED AT KITCHEN AREAS THAT MUST BE REMOVED.(OLD BULBS) MUST REMOVE.
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED LIDS ON BOTH CHEST FREEZERS,WORN DOOR GASKETS ON ALL CHEST FREEZERS AND REACH IN COOLERS AND PREP COOLERS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZERS AND OVERHEAD BRACKETTES OF SHELVING UNITS.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON ALL SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER.MUST DEFROST CHEST FREEZERS
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM ALL COOLERS,SHELVING UNITS,GRILL TABLES,PREP TABLES,ALL DRIP PANS UNDER COOLERS,ROLLING CART,EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP,WINDOWS AND WINDOW SILLS,ALL GLASS ON PREMISES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A LIGHT SHIELD AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
  5. Complaint

    8 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MORE THAN 60 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS,CEILINGS,BOXES,ON A BAG OF ROTTEN ONIONS ON REAR FOOD STORAGE SHELF.ALSO FOOD DEBRI BUILD UP IN FLOOR DRAINS.MUST REMOVE ROTTEN ONIONS.CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 9/19/14.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED LIDS ON BOTH CHEST FREEZERS,WORN DOOR GASKETS ON ALL CHEST FREEZERS AND REACH IN COOLERS AND PREP COOLERS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZERS AND OVERHEAD BRACKETTES OF SHELVING UNITS.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON ALL SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER.MUST DEFROST CHEST FREEZERS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM ALL COOLERS,SHELVING UNITS,GRILL TABLES,PREP TABLES,ALL DRIP PANS UNDER COOLERS,ROLLING CART,EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP,WINDOWS AND WINDOW SILLS,ALL GLASS ON PREMISES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT,FLOOR DRAINS.MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER IN TOILET ROOM.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS .MUST SEAL HOLE IN LOWER WALL BEHIND FOOD STORAGE SHELVES.MUST REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT.MUST CLEAN DEAD INSECTS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE A LIGHT SHIELD AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE TAPE FROM FAUCET AT 3- COMP SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.
  6. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEAL ALL HOLED ON WALLS THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPTMENT AND WALLS IN REAR OF STORE. PAINT WHERE NEEDED A LIGHT COLOR AND MAKING WALLS SMOOTH AND EASY CLEANABLE.
  7. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL THE LARGE FOOD CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE TWO REACHIN CHEST FREEZER TOPS ARE IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE THEM.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • THE REACHIN CHEST FREEZERS ARE THICK ICE BUILDUP INSIDE THE UNITS MUST DFROST, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THEM. CLEAN THE HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS SOME GREASE BUILDUP ON IT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEAL ALL HOLED ON WALLS THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPTMENT AND WALLS IN REAR OF STORE. PAINT WHERE NEEDED A LIGHT COLOR AND MAKING WALLS SMOOTH AND EASY CLEANABLE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • CLEAN THE VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES HAS DUST BUILDUP ON THEM.
  8. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor along wallbase and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • Thermometer not provided inside 2 door cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside cooler.
  9. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  10. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  11. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. License

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. NOTED STAINED AND WORN CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP GROVES, REPLACE SAME. NOTED GASKETS ON FRONT 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN DISREPAIR, REPAIR SAME.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING AND COOLING EQUIPTMENT THROUGHOUT STORE, INCLUDING ALL FREEZERS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AND MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT, SEAL ALL HOLED ON WALLS THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPTMENT AND WALLS IN REAR OF STORE, REMOVING FOOD STAINS AND DUST. PAINT WHERE NEEDED A LIGHT COLOR AND MAKING WALLS SMOOTH AND EASY CLEANABLE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. DETAIL CLEAN ALL VENT COVERS THROUGHOUT, HEAVY WITH DUST.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website