Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2025
78
Score
Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar has been inspected seven times since 2021. The most recent report on file is from Mar 31, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about six violations before that.
When inspectors have written things up, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hand soap provided at front oyster/raw fish prep station. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Prep cooler thermometer placed at rear of cooler, Instructed to place in front at warmest part.
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: Fly traps mounted above food prep areas at 2nd floor kitchen, instructed to keep away from above food production areas.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Brooms stored next to clean utensils rack at dish washing area, instructed to keep away.
39
78
Mar 28, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Food handler with a long beard not wearing beard restraints, instructed to wear.
40
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: multi-use utensils not air dried after washing ( deli cups ) instructed to air dry all multi-use utensils.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Hand sink missing a splash guard next to clean dishes rack at juicing station at LL prep area, instructed to install.
47
86
Jun 22, 2023
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11 OBSERVED BLACK TAPE ON THE VENT LOCATED ON THE CEILING IN THE PREP CAFE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED A SLOW-DRAINING HAND SINK LOCATED IN THE UPSTAIRS SALAD BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
Jun 15, 2023
Complaint
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN UPSTAIRS BAR MAR KITCHEN AND DOWNSTAIRS CAFE BY RIVER KITCHEN WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
16
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLOW-DRAINING HAND SINK LOCATED IN THE UPSTAIRS SALAD BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND HANDLING FOOD.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS ON ALL FLOORS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK TAPE ON THE VENT LOCATED ON THE CEILING IN THE PREP CAFE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
47
74
Mar 9, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 2, 2022
Complaint
2 critical violations. 8 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND CHICKEN(3 LBS AT $30)IN LL FOOD PREP COOLER AT 48 F. FOUND FISH LOCATED IN COOLER ON 1ST FLOOR AT 51 F ( 3LBS AT $50). INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS . INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINNIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 60F LOCATED AT THE "RAW BAR" FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MINNIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED ON 1ST FLOOR HOTLINE. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH HAND CLEANING LIQUID AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030-(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: FOUND MUSSELS STORED IN REACH IN COOLER OF 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY WITHOUT SHELLSTOCK TAG. SHELLSTOCK TAG MUST REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER IN WHICH THE SHELLSTOCK ARE RECEIVED UNTIL THE CONTAINER IS EMPTY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
14
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: FOUND ICE MACHINE LOCATED ON LL FILLED WITH A YELLOW AND PINK UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE, ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. EQUIPMENT FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES AND UTENSILS SHALL BE CLEAN TO SIGHT AND TOUCH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: FOUND NO DISCARD DATES ON ANY READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD (CHICKEN, BEEF) LOCATED IN LL PREP AND WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATES FOR ALL READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND A VARIETY OF RAW FISH AND STEAK ON MENU. FOUND NO WRITTEN DISCLOSURE ON 1ST FLOOR OR SECOND FLOOR MENU. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE FOOTNOTE, DISCLOSURE ( WRITTEN DISCLOSURE AND DISCLOSURE BY ASTERISK) AND REMINDER FOR MENU ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION..7-38-005.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. FOUND NO SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. MANAGER MAKES COPIES OF SAMPLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND RETRIEVES SIGNATURES OF EMPLOYEES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SINK IN FOOD PREPARATION BUTCHER ROOM LOCATED ON LL. FOUND FOOD PREPARATION SINK IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL HANDWASHING SINK TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES IN ALL FOOD PREPARATION, FOOD DISPENSING, AND WAREWASHING AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 138F LOCATED AT SOUTH HANDWASHING SINK. FOUND NO RUNNING WATER WHEN COLD WATER KNOB IS PUSHED ON. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MAX WATER TEMPERATURE OF 120 F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOUND CARROTS, AND ONIONS STORED ON DRYING RACK OF CLEAN DISHES. FOUND CLEAN DISHES DRIPPING ON FRESH PRODUCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE PRODUCE TO PREVENT MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: FOUND ICE SCOOP STORED IN ICE WITH HANDLE TOUCHING ICE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ICE SCOOP. DURING PAUSES IN FOOD PREPARATION OR DISPENSING, FOOD PREPARATION AND DISPENSING UTENSILS SHALL BE STORED IN A CLEAN, PROTECTED LOCATION
43
30
May 20, 2021
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MISSING HANDS WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASH SINKS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar on file is from Mar 31, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar.
Has Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bazaar Meat/Cafe by the River/ Bar Mar is inspected around two times per year on average.
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