What is Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy's health inspection score?

Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy has a SafeDine safety score of 89 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy last inspected?

Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy was last inspected on December 11, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy have?

Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy has 36 total violations across 9 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy safe to eat at?

Yes, Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy has an excellent safety record with a score of 89/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy

Name: Gene's Bistro/big Bowl/tall Boy
Address: 5700 S CICERO AVE, Chicago, 60638
Rating: 89

5700 S CICERO AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 12/11/2025

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0Excellent

Chicago

Ranked #535 of 1000 in Chicago

Stable

9 inspections

Last: Dec 11, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

11%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

6 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-11

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-9 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-2 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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5700 S CICERO AVE, Chicago, IL 60638

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Violation Timeline

Jul 2022

1 inspections

3 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

Jul

Dec 2022

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

Jul 2023

1 inspections

2 intermediate

1 basic

Jul

Aug 2023

1 inspections

Nov 2023

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

Nov

Apr 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

4 basic

Dec 2024

1 inspections

4 basic

Dec

Apr 2025

1 inspections

3 basic

Dec 2025

1 inspections

5 basic

Dec

Inspection History

9 records on file

7 Canvass1 Complaint1 Short Form Complaint

Dec 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS NEEDED BY ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
TUBING TO SODA GUN IN NEED OF REINSTALLING TO ELIMINATE WATER INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
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.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
ALL HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Base deductions−10 pts

Apr 25

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CABINET UNDER SINK (TALLBOY TACO) WITH DEBRIS AND SOILED TOWELS. INSTRUCTD PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
52SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED−2
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.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

Base deductions−6 pts

Dec 24

Canvass InspectionPass

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
MALE FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTD TO WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS AND MAINTAIN
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MISSING COVER FOR MOTOR AND HARDWARE AT PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA OF GENE'S BISTRO. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SAME
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
BLACK CRATES BEING USED TO STORE CILANTRO IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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.

Base deductions−8 pts

Apr 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med4 Basic

5 total

87/100inspection score

−13 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED LARGE ROLLING BIN IN FRONT COUNTER AREA NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF INGREDIENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED LEAK AT PIPE UNDERNEATH HANDSINK LOCATED NEAR OVEN UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF RESIDUE ON WALL BEHIND THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DRAIN IN FRONT BAR AREA WITH BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−13 pts

Nov 23

Complaint InspectionPass

1 High1 Med3 Basic

5 total

79/100inspection score

−21 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE INCLUDING CHUTE AND SURROUNDING SURFACE NOT CLEAN, SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

27FOOD ADDITIVES: APPROVED AND PROPERLY USED−5

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
ALUMINUM FOIL LINING ON SURFACE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE BURNERS AT COOKING LINE. INSTD TO REMOVE FOIL SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
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.

Base deductions−21 pts

Aug 23

Short Form Complaint InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jul 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 Med1 Basic

3 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
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.
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
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.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

Base deductions−12 pts

Dec 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT BAR HANDWASH SINK AND AT FRONT TALL BOY PREP AREA.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH BEARD WITHOUT BEAR RESTRAINT/GUARD. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
45SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED−2
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)
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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

Base deductions−16 pts

Jul 22

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

3 High1 Med3 Basic

7 total

59/100inspection score

−41 pts

High Priority (3)

−30 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
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
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
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
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
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

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION−5
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 5�C (41�F) 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

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
MISSING ICE BIN COVER IN BAR AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
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
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
WALLS ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALLBASE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK HEAVILY SOILED WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK DEBRIS/GRIME. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME

Base deductions−41 pts

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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