Willow Cafe and Bistro
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2024, Willow Cafe and Bistro has three inspections in the public record. Willow Cafe and Bistro was last inspected on Mar 23, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN THE BAKERY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON THE FAN GUARDS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR TORN GASKETS ON THE INSIDE OF MAIN THREE DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE COOKS STATION.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE COFFEE STATION CONTINUOSLY RUNNING LOW WATER PRESSURE WHEN TURNED OFF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE AND DETAIL CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM THE FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND BASEBOARDS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
May 14, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 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.
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 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.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 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.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 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.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 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.
10
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 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.
43
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 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.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 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.
58
52
Apr 16, 2024
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 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.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 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.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MISSING FLOOR TILES DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE NEWLY INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 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.
56
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Willow Cafe and Bistro last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Willow Cafe and Bistro on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Willow Cafe and Bistro?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Willow Cafe and Bistro.
Has Willow Cafe and Bistro's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Willow Cafe and Bistro have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Willow Cafe and 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 Willow Cafe and Bistro inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Willow Cafe and Bistro is inspected around two times per year on average.
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