CHICAGO, IL - WHISPERS AT OAK STREET BEACH received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 08/13/2025.
The establishment operates from 1001 N LAKE SHORE DR in CHICAGO, serving customers in this business area. Regular health inspections ensure food safety standards are maintained across all local establishments.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation concerned pest prevention. Inspectors documented: 39. Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: Observed Brisket Cooked Outside in Smoker. Instructed Manager to No Food Is Cooked Outside Without Prior Approval. Instructed Manager to Fill Out Application Outdoor Cooking. Priority Foundation 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. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The second violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 53. Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned - Comments: 5-501.17 Observed Several Individual Toilet Stalls and Women's Toilet Room with No Covered Receptacle. Instructed Manager to Provide Covered Receptacle.. 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. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The third violation regarded management certification. Inspectors documented: 58. Allergen Training As Required - Comments: 2-102.13 Observed No Certified Food Manager on Site with Food Allergen Training. Instructed Manager to Comply with Requirement.. The FDA Food Code mandates that at least one employee with supervisory responsibility be a certified food protection manager to ensure active managerial control. For more information, see FDA certified food protection manager requirements. Lack of knowledge about allergen management can result in allergic reactions.
Establishments receiving violations must submit correction plans and may face additional inspections. Failure to address violations can result in fines, permit suspension, or closure.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/13/2025 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: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BRISKET COOKED OUTSIDE IN SMOKER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NO FOOD IS COOKED OUTSIDE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FILL OUT APPLICATION OUTDOOR COOKING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 5-501.17 OBSERVED SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL TOILET STALLS AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM WITH NO COVERED RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED GRAB & GO FOOD ITEMS ON DISPLAY NOT PROPERLY LABELED. FRESH CUT WATERMELON, TRAIL MIX, VARIETY OF NUTS MIXED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY, NET WEIGHT, INGREDIENTS, LIST MAJOR ALLERGENS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE MADE AND PACKAGED; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE ALL-PREP AREAS WITH DEEP CUTS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER BETWEN MAIN BAR AND WALK IN-COOLER, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM SINKS NOT MAINTAINED WITH HOT WATER: IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT WATER OBSERVED AT 4 OUT 7 TOILET ROOMS AT 69.2F INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE HOT WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED GRAB & GO FOOD ITEMS ON DISPLAY NOT PROPERLY LABELED. FRESH CUT WATERMELON, TRAIL MIX, VARIETY OF NUTS MIXED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY, NET WEIGHT, INGREDIENTS, LIST MAJOR ALLERGENS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE MADE AND PACKAGED.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE ALL-PREP AREAS WITH DEEP CUTS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER BETWEN MAIN BAR AND WALK IN-COOLER, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.; SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC - Comments: "NOTED NO CURRENT SUMMARY REPORT POSTED ON SITE FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION# 2597035 DATED 7.3.24. INSTRUCTED TO POST THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT MUST BE DISPLAYED IN A LOCATION THAT IS VISIBLE TO CONSUMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-010(b). CITATION ISSUED."; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: "OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED."; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING SINKS NOT MAINTAINED WITH HOT WATER: IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT WATER OBSERVED AT ALL TOILET ROOMS AT 79F, BAR HANDWASHING SINKS 63F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE HOT WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NOTED TWO LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST PROPERLY SANITIZE AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. ECOLAB ON SITE DISHWASHERS NOW READING 50PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (DICED TOMATO) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMP. DICED TOMATOES TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 60F - 62FF LOCATED HOT DOG STAND. COLD HOLDING UNIT IS WORKING PROPERLY UNIT WAS NOT TURNED ON BY STAFF. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED AND DENATURED TCS FOOD 2# DICED TOMATO AT VALUE OF 4.50. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE UNIT IS TURNED ON AND MAINTAINS A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED GRAB & GO FOOD ITEMS ON DISPLAY NOT PROPERLY LABELED. FRESH CUT WATERMELON, TRAIL MIX, VARIETY OF NUTS MIXED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS WITH IDENTITY, NET WEIGHT, INGREDIENTS, LIST MAJOR ALLERGENS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE MADE AND PACKAGED.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE ALL-PREP AREAS WITH DEEP CUTS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER BETWEN MAIN BAR AND WALK IN-COOLER, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.; SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC - Comments: "NOTED NO CURRENT SUMMARY REPORT POSTED ON SITE FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION# 2559970 DATED 6.27.22. INSTRUCTED TO POST THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT MUST BE DISPLAYED IN A LOCATION THAT IS VISIBLE TO CONSUMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-010(b). CITATION ISSUED.".
Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Lack of knowledge about allergen management can result in allergic reactions.
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.
View all health inspections, pass rates, and violation history for WHISPERS AT OAK STREET BEACH
View Business Profile →