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".

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.

A bistro is defined as a small, casual restaurant with a relatively inexpensive, simple menu. Though often a French restaurant, it doesn't have to be, and not every bistro serves French food.