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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

White Castle #21

3132 N Harlem Ave

Last inspected Nov 7, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

Nov 7, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 7, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Nov 5, 2025

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11 NOTED EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN UNDER EQUIPMENT, BEHIND ICE MACHINE, UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND HANDSINKS. ALSO NOTED BROKEN FLOOR TILES. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND REPAIR ALL BROKEN FLOOR TILES

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 59Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIME FRAME ON THE INSPECTION REPORT#2626135 DATED 10/27/2025: (54) 5-501.13 - OBSERVED OUTSIDE DUMPSTER WITH BROKEN LIDS INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN TO ENSURE TIGHT-FITTING LIDS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT THE VIOLATION SHALL NOW BE CLASSIFIED AS A PRIORITY ITEM DUE TO PREVIOUS NONCOMPLIANCE. MUST CORRECT BEFORE RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 27, 2025

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

(54) 5-501.13 - OBSERVED OUTSIDE DUMPSTER WITH BROKEN LIDS INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN TO ENSURE TIGHT FITTING LIDS.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN UNDER EQUIPMENT,BEHIND ICE MACHINE, UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDSINKS. ALSO NOTED BROKEN FLOOR TILES. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN, SANITIZE AND REPAIR ALL BROKEN FLOOR TILES

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 27, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 26, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED AUTOMATIC FAUCET WATER SENSOR IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED LITTER SURROUNDING DUMPSTERS OUTSIDE IN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE FRYERS IN MAIN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 26, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Dec 6, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 6, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Dec 4, 2023

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 59Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 11-20-2023, REPORT #2585451. #10-OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM AT 145F. WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM FOUND AT 149F. BOTH ARE AUTOMATIC HAND SINKS. A HANDWASHING SINK shall have maximum hot water temperature of 49°C (120°F) through a mixing valve or combination faucet. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13--OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING COMPLETION FOR EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 4, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 20, 2023

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN LITTER ON GROUND SURROUNDING OUTDOOR DUMPSTER AREA.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 8/11/2021, REPORT #2523885. #47-4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 3 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER(MIDDLE DOOR). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET. #55-6-201.17--INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN HALLWAY LEADING TO WASHROOMS. #55-6-501.12--OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP UNDERNEATH THE FRYERS.MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM AT 145F. WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM FOUND AT 149F. BOTH ARE AUTOMATIC HAND SINKS. A HANDWASHING SINK shall have maximum hot water temperature of 49°C (120°F) through a mixing valve or combination faucet. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING COMPLETION FOR EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 20, 2023 · Original Source

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