Chicago
UNRATED

Willow Cafe and Bistro

4729 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 · Lincoln Square · Restaurant · High risk

Not yet rated. This restaurant has fewer than 3 inspections on record. We don't assign a score until there's enough data to identify a pattern. Learn why →

2 inspections on record — all passed (not yet rated)

Inspections
2
1 passed
Last Inspected
2025-05-14
Pass Rate
50%
0 failures
Score
UNRATED
Employee Hygiene issues found across 5 inspections
Limited data — only 2 inspections on record
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Employee Hygiene critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📋
Documentation & Training minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
🧽
Sanitation minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
2025-05-14 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 8
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING HANDWASHING SINKS TO BE INACCESSIBLE AT TIME OF INSPECTION: REAR AREA (NEAR EXTERIOR DOOR) HANDWASHING SINK OBSTRUCTED BY EQUIPMENT, FRONT BAKERY AREA HANDWASHING SINK OBSTRUCTED BY WOODEN SHELF. OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE UTILIZIN...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HAND SOAP NOT PROVIDED AT THE FOLLOWING HANDWASHING SINKS: REAR AREA (NEAR EXTERIOR DOOR), FRONT BAKERY AREA, REAR BAKERY AREA (NEAR RESTROOM). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHA...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT BAKERY AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AT TIME OF IN...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED FRONT COFFEE AREA HANDWASHING SINK MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROIVDE ADEQUATE SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES FOR COLD-HOLDING IN THE BAKERY AREA 3-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER: COOKED POTATOES AT 50.1F, PORK SAUSAGE AT 46.6F. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING...

minor Food Temperature

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS STORED IN STILL, ROOM-TEMPERATURE WATER IN BETWEEN USES AT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN-USE UTENSILS ON A CLEAN, SANITIZED SURFACE, UNDER RUNNING WATER, OR IN WATER AT OR ABOVE 135.0F IN BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAI...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE IN POOR REPAIR, LEAKING WHEN TURNED OFF BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET TO ELIMINATE LEAK AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED TWO PERSONS-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE MISSING ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITH ALLERGEN A...

2024-04-16 Pass License
5
minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Observed hand sink near rear exit door to not be properly protected from contamination between prep sink and service/utility sink. Instructed manager to provide splash guard on each side to protect against potential contamination.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Observed no backflow prevention device present at following locations: service/utility sink near rear exit door; coffee expresso unit at front counter; water dispenser at front counter. Instructed manager to provide backflow prevention device at each...

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MISSING FLOOR TILES DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE NEWLY INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Observed light above rear hand sink near rear exit door and light above ovens in rear bakery area to not have protective shields or covers. Provide protective light shield or shatter resistant light bulbs.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · This restaurant does not yet have enough inspections for a score. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.