Health Inspection Report
JJ FISH in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 08/14/25
CHICAGO, IL
Published: August 21, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - JJ FISH received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 08/14/2025.
The facility operates from 411 S KEDZIE AVE in Garfield Park, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
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 hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: 2. City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate - Comments: No Valid City of Chicago Certified Manager on Duty While Tsc Foods Are Being Prepared, Handled and Served Such As Chicken and Fish. Insurcted Manager a City Certified Food Service Manager Must Be on Duty/site at All Time. Priority Foundation Citation Issued #7-38-012.. 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. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The second violation concerned handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: 40. Personal Cleanliness - Comments: 2-402.11 Observed the Food Handler in the Prep Area Without Proper Hair Restraint. Must Provide and Maintain at All Times in the Food Prep Areas.. 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. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.
The third violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: 49. Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: 4-602.13 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.. 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 fourth violation involved handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: 51. Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: 5-205.15 Observed a Leak at the 3 Comp Sink Faucet Neck. Must Repair and Maintain.. 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 fifth violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: 59. Previous Priority Foundation Violation Corrected - Comments: 8-404.13 (b:3) Previous Priority Foundation Violat. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.
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 08/14/2025 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
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..
Why are these violations concerning?
Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.