DEC 11
2025
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
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GENE'S BISTRO/BIG BOWL/TALL BOY.
EAT. 92/100
5700 S CICERO AVE · GARFIELD RIDGE, CHICAGO
Last inspected December 11, 2025 · passed
11 of 14 inspections passed, with 6 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
14
11 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
44
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
5 YEARS
since Mar 2020
INSPECTION HISTORY
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS NEEDED BY ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
TUBING TO SODA GUN IN NEED OF REINSTALLING TO ELIMINATE WATER INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
ALL SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ALL WHEELS TO SAID EQUIPMENT CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
ALL FLOORS UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, FRONT BAR, SINKS AND UNDER FRONT ICE BIN IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL WATER BUILD AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
ALL HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
APR 212025PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 21
2025
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED CABINET UNDER SINK (TALLBOY TACO) WITH DEBRIS AND SOILED TOWELS. INSTRUCTD PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
OBSERVED GREASE TRAP(S) LOCATED AT HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE IN REAR WITH EXCESSIVE RUST AND BUILD UP OF GREASE ON EXTERIOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN/REPAIR OR REPLACE.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
DEC 62024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
DEC 6
2024
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTD TO WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS AND MAINTAIN
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MISSING COVER FOR MOTOR AND HARDWARE AT PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA OF GENE'S BISTRO. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SAME
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
BLACK CRATES BEING USED TO STORE CILANTRO IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
EXCESSIVE DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON MOTOR AND ATTACHED HARDWARE OF PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA OF GENE'S BISTRO. EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE, GRIME ON POT ROLLING CART IN TALL BOY PEP AREA.
APR 102024PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
APR 10
2024
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED LARGE ROLLING BIN IN FRONT COUNTER AREA NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF INGREDIENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR OF REACH IN COLD HOLD UNITS IN FRONT COUNTER/COOKING AREA (TALLBOY TACO, BIG BOWL). OBSERVED RESIDUE ON EXTERIOR OF WHITE ROLLING BIN STORED UNDER FRONT COUNTER.OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE AND SPILLAGE ON WIRE SHELVING UNITS LOCATED IN THE DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED LEAK AT PIPE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK LOCATED NEAR OVEN UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE ON WALL BEHIND THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DRAIN IN FRONT BAR AREA WITH BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
NOV 302023PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
NOV 30
2023
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE INCLUDING CHUTE AND SURROUNDING SURFACE NOT CLEAN, SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
27. FOOD ADDITIVES: APPROVED AND PROPERLY USED
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
ALUMINUM FOIL LINING ON SURFACE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE BURNERS AT COOKING LINE. INSTD TO REMOVE FOIL SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
ALL ROLLING CARTS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. EXTERIOR SIDES OF WAREWASH MACHINE IN BAR WITH EXCESSIVE LIME/CALCIUM ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
WALLS SURROUNDING WAREWASH MACHINE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK INCLUDING WALL UNDERNEATH/BEHIND MACHINE AND SINK WITH HEAVY AND EXCESSIVE DEBRIS/DIRT/BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
show all 14 inspections →
JUL 282023PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violationsDETAILS
JUL 28
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violationsDETAILS
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AT THE COLD LINE. SOUR CREAM (50.8F), GUAC (53.4F), GREEN SALSA (52.8F), AND RED SALSA (57.3F). ALL TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE FOOD ITEMS. APPOX 10LBS $100 VALUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-005.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED CONTAINER OF BREADCRUMBS NEXT TO FRYERS IN THE REAR PREP AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH THE COMMON NAME.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
DEC 72022PASSED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
DEC 7
2022
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT BAR HANDWASH SINK AND AT FRONT TALL BOY PREP AREA.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH BEARD WITHOUT BEAR RESTRAINT/GUARD. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED AT BAR AREA, SOME NOT INVERTED AND OTHERS WITH MOUTHPIECE TOUCHING PRE PACKAGED CONDIMENT PACKAGES (SALT/PEPPER) IN CONTAINER. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (INVERTED AND PROTECTED)
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, STAINS ON ALL ROLLING CARTS. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OR REPLACE CARTS. EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION ON ENTIRE PERIMETER OF COLD HOLDING WELL AT TALL BOY TACO FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN
JUL 132022PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 13
2022
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT HANDWASH SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA IN GENE'S BISTRO. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY FOUNDATION
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDWASH SINK IN TALLBOY PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE FOR VIOLATION ISSUED
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
HANDWASH SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA AT GENE'S BISTRO NOT ACESSIBLE, USING AS A DUMP SINK, ICE AND DEBRIS IN SINK. INSTD TO MAINTAIN BASIN CLEAN AND CLEAR AT ALL TIMES FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE FOR VIOLATION
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
THE FOLLOWING TCS REFRIGERATED FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER ARE PAST THE USE BY DATE: 2 TRAYS OF COOKED CHICKEN (DISCARD DATE 7/7/22) AND 2 TRAYS OF COOKED SPAGHETTI DISCARD DATE OF 7/7/22 ). ALL DISCARDED AND DENATURED. APPROX 15LBS $50 VALUE. ALL TCS REFRIGERATED FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE by which the FOOD shall be consumed on the PREMISES, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 5ºC (41ºF) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MISSING ICE BIN COVER IN BAR AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
ALL LIQUOR STORAGE/DISPLAY SHELVES THROUGH OUT BAR AND ROLLING CART IN REAR PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. ALL ATTACHED PIPING OF COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE GREASE/DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
WALLS ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALLBASE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK HEAVILY SOILED WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK DEBRIS/GRIME. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
OCT 222021PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OCT 22
2021
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
INTERIOR OF HOT BOX IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
OBSERVED PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCONTINUE PRACTICE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE PREP AREA. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING OR REPAIRING WHERE WORN. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
JUN 172021PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUN 17
2021
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
GREASE SPILL ON FLOOR IN TALL BOY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
DEC 142020PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
DEC 14
2020
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
The fryers on site in need of cleaning to remove all grease build up. Instructed to clean and maintain clean at all times.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Floors through out in need of cleaning to remove all grease spills. Must detail clean under and around fryers. Floors in walk in cooler in need of cleaning to remove all food spills. Correct and maintain at all times
MAR 122020FAILED1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 12
2020
FAILED
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
NO HANDWASH SINK LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AREA WHERE COLD REFRIGERATION LINE, SOUP HOT HOLDING UNIT AND OPEN FOODS ARE HANDLED. INSTD TO PROVIDE HANDWASH SINK UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →