GENE'S BISTRO/BIG BOWL/TALL BOY

5700 S CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

15 inspections

1. CanvassMay 20, 2026

   3 infractions

   • 39. 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.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
   • 55. 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.
2. CanvassDec 11, 2025

   5 infractions

   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS NEEDED BY ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
   • 47. 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
   • 49. 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
   • 55. 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.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • ALL HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
3. CanvassApr 21, 2025

   3 infractions

   • 49. 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.
   • 52. 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.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
4. CanvassDec 6, 2024

   4 infractions

   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTD TO WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS AND MAINTAIN
   • 47. 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
   • 47. 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.
   • 49. 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.
5. CanvassApr 10, 2024

   5 infractions

   • 37. 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.
   • 49. 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.
   • 51. 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.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE ON WALL BEHIND THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DRAIN IN FRONT BAR AREA WITH BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
6. ComplaintNov 30, 2023

   5 infractions

   • 16. 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
   • 47. 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
   • 49. 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.
   • 55. 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.
7. Short Form ComplaintAug 25, 2023

   0 infractions

8. CanvassJul 28, 2023

   3 infractions

   • 22. 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.
   • 37. 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.
   • 47. 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.
9. CanvassDec 7, 2022

   4 infractions

   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT BAR HANDWASH SINK AND AT FRONT TALL BOY PREP AREA.
   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH BEARD WITHOUT BEAR RESTRAINT/GUARD. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
   • 45. 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)
   • 49. 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
10. CanvassJul 13, 2022

    7 infractions

    • 10. 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
    • 10. 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
    • 10. 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
    • 23. 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
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MISSING ICE BIN COVER IN BAR AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 49. 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
    • 55. 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
11. ComplaintOct 22, 2021

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INTERIOR OF HOT BOX IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.
    • 28. 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.
    • 47. 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.
12. CanvassJun 17, 2021

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • GREASE SPILL ON FLOOR IN TALL BOY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. 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.
13. CanvassDec 14, 2020

    2 infractions

    • 49. 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.
    • 55. 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
14. License Re-InspectionMar 13, 2020

    0 infractions

15. LicenseMar 12, 2020

    1 infraction

    • 10. 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).