GENE'S BISTRO/BIG BOWL/TALL BOY.

Chicago Health Dept

5700 S CICERO AVE · GARFIELD RIDGE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (May 2026).

15 inspections on record since 2020 · Last inspected May 2026.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAY 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 20

2026

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

FOUND THE ICE BIN AT THE BAR WITH NO LID/COVER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LID/COVER TO ICE BIN TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. -FOUND THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BIG BOWL FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL.

DEC 11

2025

PASS 5 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS NEEDED BY ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 21

2025

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Sanitation

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.

Critical Sanitation

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.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

DEC 6

2024

PASS 4 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTD TO WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 10

2024

PASS 5 violations

Minor Documentation & Training

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DRAIN IN FRONT BAR AREA WITH BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE ON WALL BEHIND THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

show all 15 inspections →

NOV 30

2023

PASS 5 violations

Serious Sanitation

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

Minor Other

27. FOOD ADDITIVES: APPROVED AND PROPERLY USED

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

AUG 25

2023

PASS · 0 violations

JUL 28

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations

Serious Food Temperature

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.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 7

2022

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT BAR HANDWASH SINK AND AT FRONT TALL BOY PREP AREA.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH BEARD WITHOUT BEAR RESTRAINT/GUARD. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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)

Minor Food Temperature

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 13

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Serious Food Temperature

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

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MISSING ICE BIN COVER IN BAR AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME

Minor Sanitation

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

Minor Sanitation

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 22

2021

PASS 3 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

INTERIOR OF HOT BOX IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.

Serious Chemical Safety

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 17

2021

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

GREASE SPILL ON FLOOR IN TALL BOY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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 14

2020

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 13

2020

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 12

2020

FAIL 1 violation 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

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).

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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