Bistro

1400 S Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable Lakeshore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

French

Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Bistro appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Oct 8, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

“Adequate ventilation & lighting” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Bistro is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 8, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT RUNNING WATER AT FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK TEMPERATURE 127.2F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F-120F AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 C CITATION ISSUED

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

Apr 16, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector notes: Found 3 lbs of cooked fish and 2 lbs of cooked diced chicken held at 64.3 at front service line, instructed to hold all cold TCS foods at 41f or lower. Priority violation 7-38-005. food discarded valued at $20.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: Grab and go packaged salad and sandwiches missing weight, instructed to post.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: Inadequate light in walk-in freezer, instructed to provide.

May 23, 2023

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

May 16, 2023

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector notes: 3-501.16(A:2,&B) OBSERVED TCS FOOD, IN A COLD HOLDIN UNIT, AT AN INADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE; OBSERVED 1 LB OF SHREDDED LETTUCE AT 58.8F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOOD AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOODS AT AN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED SAID TCS FOODS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: 4-301.11 OBSERVED A COLD HOLDING UNIT, WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE, AT AN INADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 61F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 30 LIVE SMALL FLIES BY THE BISTRO CAFE BAR AREA AND ABOUT 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE SMALL FLIES ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: 6-303.11 OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTING IN VARIOUS AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: 3-601.11 OBSERVED NO LABELS ON THE PREPACKAGED DESSERTS FOR SALE AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL WITH BUSINESS NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS AND IF ANY ALLERGENS ARE PRESENT.

Jun 7, 2022

License

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE OR RESURFACE CUTTING BOARDS.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY SOIL BUILD UP ON INTERIOR OF TOASTER OVEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF TOASTER OVEN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVILY SOIL BUILD UP ON FLOORS AND WALLS IN GRIDDLE AREA AND SALAD AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHTING NOT ADEQUATE FOR FOOD OPERATIONS ON SERVICE LINE OF PASTA AND SALAD STATIONS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bistro last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Bistro on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Bistro?

Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Bistro.

Has Bistro's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bistro have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Bistro 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 Bistro inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Bistro is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Baskin Robbins — Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins

Asian Outpost Hawaiian Hideout

1313-1315 S Wabash Ave

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → French restaurants in Chicago