Cafe Locale Bistro

600 George Washington Hwy, Lincoln, RI 02865

Mexican / Latin

License: Seats - 50 or More

Last inspected: Dec 31, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Cafe Locale Bistro has three inspections on file, the first dated 2025. The most recent visit was on Dec 31, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.

Restaurants in Lincoln average 87, so Cafe Locale Bistro trails the local norm. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 31, 2025

Re-Inspection

1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

No soap available at handwashing sink (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the hand-washing sink in the kitchen. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was lacking paper towels.

6-301.11

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the back entrance to the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.

6-202.15

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The ice scoop is stored on an unclean surface (top of the ice machine) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.

3-304.12

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The floor in the kitchen area is in poor repair. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The door exit device located on the back kitchen entrance door is in poor repair. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Dec 23, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 9 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Raw animal foods (Beef) were observed stored above ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in refrigerator. Raw animal foods must be separated from raw ready-to-eat food such as vegetables during storage.

3-302.11

Person in charge not controlling unsafe operations

Inspector notes: The Person in charge did not assure compliance with critical code requirements.

2-103.11

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was blocked. A hand-washing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use.

5-205.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (can opener, Ice Machine) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Can opener was cleaned during time of inspection. Ice from ice machine was voluntarily disposed of. Professional service call placed for ice machine during time of inspection. Establishment is to send photos of cleaned and sanitized ice machine to RIDOH before resuming use of machine.

4-601.11(A)

Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food items prepared in the establishment was observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation.

3-501.17

Sewage & waste water properly disposed

Inspector notes: A leak was observed at the dump sink draining into a container. Condensate drainage and other nonsewage liquids must drain into a drain.

5-403.12

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The floor in the kitchen area is in poor repair. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Wet wiping cloths are not stored in a chemical sanitizer between uses. Wet wiping cloths must be stored in a chemical sanitizer at the appropriate concentration.

3-304.14

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The dishwasher located in the bar area was not in good repair. Service call placed during time of inspection.

4-501.11

Aug 13, 2025

Opening

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The floor in the kitchen area is in poor repair. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Warmer door gaskets was observed in poor repair. Gaskets must be maintained in good repair.

4-501.11

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe Locale Bistro last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe Locale Bistro on file is from Dec 31, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cafe Locale Bistro?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cafe Locale Bistro.

How does Cafe Locale Bistro compare to other restaurants in Lincoln?

Cafe Locale Bistro most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Lincoln average of 87.

Has Cafe Locale Bistro's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cafe Locale Bistro means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

Lincoln Place

612 George Washington Highway

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Kiwi Burst

616 George Washington Hwy

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Panera Bread

613 George Washington Hwy

Score: 90 — Low Risk

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