How to Evaluate Restaurant Cleanliness

There is nothing worse than getting food poisoning after eating out at a restaurant. The price you pay for the convenience of not having to prepare your own meal will suddenly seem steep after a visit to the doctor and having to take a few days off to recover from an upset stomach. To help avoid such culinary "mishaps," it may be wise to conduct a quick evaluation of a restaurant's cleanliness before deciding to eat there.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. See if there is a current health inspection certificate prominently displayed in the establishment. This is the first indication if the restaurant is safe to eat at or not.
2. Watch out for pests. Cockroaches, flies, rats and other scavengers are sure signs of an unhealthy establishment. Get out fast.
3. Observe the workers and food handlers to see if their appearance is neat and clean. See if they are wearing protective gloves and hair nets. Restaurants that emphasize cleanliness and food safety will insist that their employees observe these minimal precautions.
4. Scan the restroom facility. It should be clean and there should be no leakages in the plumbing. There should also be antibacterial hand washing lotion and hot water for employees and clients to use. Signs reminding employees to wash hands after visiting the restroom should be posted in significant places.
5. Feel the walls and hard surfaces as you walk around the restaurant. In clean establishments, there should be minimal dust and grease on your fingers as these tend to collect germs.
6. Look up at the ceiling and see if there is adequate ventilation. If all you can see is a swirl of smoke and fog, chances are the ventilation is poor.
7. Look down on the ground to see if the floor is clean from food debris and dirt.
8. Peek into the cooking or kitchen area if you are able to. See if it is crowded or if there is ample room for the employees to move around. Check to see if there are things piled on the floors and if water is flowing on the ground. If so, think twice about eating there.
9. Ensure that the raw foods, especially meats and greens are adequately separated. Cross contamination typically occurs when raw meats come in contact with foods that are consumed uncooked such as salads.
10. Walk outside the premises and observe the garbage disposal area. See if there are scavengers and if the area is generally clean or filthy.
11. Observe how the utensils and tables are cleaned. Workers at clean restaurants typically disinfect the tables, furniture and menu and wipe them down with clean towels. Plates and utensils should be sparkling and squeaky clean.