WILLOW CAFE AND BISTRO.
4729 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
2 of 3 inspections passed, 1 passed with conditions. 4 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
MAR 232026PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
MUST REPAIR TORN GASKETS ON THE INSIDE OF MAIN THREE DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE COOKS STATION.
OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON THE FAN GUARDS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE COFFEE STATION CONTINUOSLY RUNNING LOW WATER PRESSURE WHEN TURNED OFF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
MUST REMOVE AND DETAIL CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM THE FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND BASEBOARDS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN THE BAKERY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
MAY 142025PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
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-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
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 INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
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.
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 UTILIZING FRONT COFFEE AREA HANDWASHING SINK TO RINSE IN-USE UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OBSTRUCTIONS FROM HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN ALL HANDWASHING SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. PERSON-IN-CHARGE REMOVED ALL HANDWASHING SINK OBSTRUCTIONS AND DISCUSSED HANDWASHING SINK PROCEDURES WITH STAFF ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
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 TEMPERATURES. APPROXIMATELY 50 LBS. OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $110.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED OUT-OF-TEMPERATURE FOOD ITEMS ON-SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
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 MAINTAIN.
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.
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 AWARENESS TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE(S) ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW.
APR 162024PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
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.
INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
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 location.
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MISSING FLOOR TILES DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE NEWLY INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN.
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.
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 →