Restaurant Grade Information
The Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year.
Inspectors check for compliance
in food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene and vermin control. Each violation of a regulation earns a certain number
of points. At the end of the inspection, the inspector totals the points, and this number is the restaurant's inspection score.
in food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene and vermin control. Each violation of a regulation earns a certain number
of points. At the end of the inspection, the inspector totals the points, and this number is the restaurant's inspection score.
- - A restaurant that scores 0-13 points on its initial inspection receives an A and will not be inspected again for about a year.
- - A restaurant that scores 14-27 points on either its initial or re-inspection, but not more than 28 points, receives its next initial inspection about 5 to 7 months after the re-inspection.
- - A restaurant that scores 28 or more points on its initial or re-inspection receives its next initial inspection about 3 to 5 months after its inspection cycle ends. The inspection cycle ends when the restaurant scores below 28 points on a compliance inspection.
- - A restaurant's B or C grade is not final until the restaurant has had the opportunity to go before the Health Department's Administrative Tribunal to contest the violations cited against it. Until then, the restaurant has the option to post either the preliminary grade or a card that says "Grade Pending." Once the grade is final, the restaurant must immediately post the letter grade card and take down the Grade Pending card.
How violation points work:
The lower the number of points accrued by a restaurant during an inspection, the better
the inspection result. The Health Department inspects restaurants, and assigns violation
points for every violation observed, depending on the severity and extent of the violation.
A score of 27 or less is needed for a restaurant to pass the inspection. Restaurants with
scores of 28 or more are re-inspected.
