CHICAGO, IL - JJ FISH received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 04/17/2023.
Situated at 5211 W NORTH AVE, the establishment is part of West Humboldt Park's active food service sector. The West Humboldt Park area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation concerned hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: Observed No Soap at Hand Washing Sink Located By Dish Washing Area. Observed No Soap at Hand Washing Sink in Toilet Room. Instructed to Provide Soap at Hand Sinks at All Times for Employees to Wash Hands. Priority Foundation Violation. 7-38-030(c). Citation Issued. Employee Provided Soap at Hand Sink at End of Inspection.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The second violation involved pest management. Inspectors documented: Proper Date Marking and Disposition - Comments: Observed Expired Potato Salad with an Expiration Date 4/9/2023. Observed Coleslaw and Pasta Salad Packaged with No Expiration Date. Prepared Food Can Be Held for a Maximum of 7 Days. Day of Preparation Counts As Day 1. Employee Voluntarily Discarded Food. Food Weighing Approximately 30 Lbs at a Cost of $100.00. Priority Violation. 7-38-005. Citation Issued.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
The third violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Must Clean Heavy Grease Located Inside Cooking Fryers and Under Grill Area.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The fourth violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Adequate Ventilation & Lighting. Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.
The fifth violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Designated Areas Used - Comments: Observed Heavy Dust. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/17/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER IN THE PREP AREA WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN THE PLASTIC STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, THE EXTERIOR OF THE BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS AND INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE 3 COMP SINK FAUCET NECK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE AREA AROUND THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AND GREASE CONTAINER. MUST MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HARBORAGE FOR PESTS.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER IN POOR REPAIR (MISSING LIDS). MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT ACCESS TO POSSIBLE FOOD SOURCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B).; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.; APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A BOX OF FROZEN CHICKEN PIECES THAWING ON TOP OF THE DRAINBOARD FOR THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED A DEAD COCKROACH ON TOP OF THE STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELF ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREA.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE SHELVES INSIDE OF THE 1-DOOR PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE RUSTED STORAGE SHELVES.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE PLASTIC STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: NO TOILET PAPER WAS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE TOILET PAPER AVAILABLE IN THE WASHROOM AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS AND EXTERIOR OF THE DRY STORAGE FOOD CONTAINERS.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED THE WASHROOM DOOR WITH NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE INSTALLED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.; COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE - Comments: OBSERVED AN ASHTRAY USED WITH CIGARETTE ASHES INSIDE OF THE MANAGER'S OFFICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO ASHTRAYS CAN BE USED INSIDE AND NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED INSIDE THE RESTAURANT. CHICAGO CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE 7-32-020(C). CITATION ISSUED..
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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