The etymology is unclear. The Dictionnaire de l'Académie française dates the word from the 19th century term, bistro, "innkeeper", and suggests that it may be linked to the Poitevin word bistraud ("little servant"), or to bistrouille ("cheap liquor"). It recommends the spelling "bistrot" in preference to "bistro".

A bistro is a casual restaurant that originated in France and is known for its focus on traditional French cuisine. Unlike a formal French restaurant, a bistro has a more relaxed ambiance and may offer a limited menu of classic, usually French-influenced dishes.

What they're saying: "We came here because Chicago invented the steakhouse," owner Emil Stefkov tells Axios.

Bistro was originally conceived as French slang that referred to a little cafe or wine shop. This slang term was co-opted by the French from Russian invaders during the 1814 occupation of Paris.