Top Three Signs Your Favorite Restaurant Is Dirty

by Kevin Smith Author

We’d all like to believe that every restaurant in the world runs a kitchen that’s clean and spotless, but unfortunately, that’s not always true. It can be difficult to know whether or not your favorite local watering hole is neat and tidy inside and out, or if they’re known in the industry for struggling with cleanliness or failing health inspections. You want your friends and family to be safe, and eat at restaurants you know are clean as a whistle, so read these tips on how to tell when a restaurant is actually a mess.

Check the Bathroom

Always take a peek at the restroom when scoping out a new watering hole. A scummy, smelly bathroom is the first sign that cleanliness isn’t a priority in the restaurant. Any restaurant worth its salt should be able to keep their bathroom clean and provide customers with basic bathroom necessities like bath tissue and hand towels. And keep in mind that employees use this bathroom, too. They’re washing their hands in that sink, so if it’s dirty or there’s no soap provided, that’s a red flag.

Your Server Matters

The person waiting you at a restaurant has a significant impact on your food, and also reflects the attitude of the establishment. While servers for casual dining in Kennesaw, GA, don’t have to be dressed to the nines, you do want a server that is clean and well-groomed, and most importantly, not sniffing or sneezing. If your waiter or waitress is visibly ill, run. Chances are a place that doesn’t care if their serving staff is sick is also lenient about the hygiene of their kitchen staff, and that kind of carelessness could make you sick.

Just Ask

Believe it or not, a lot of health department information is a matter of public record. Almost anyone can submit a request to find out if one of your local restaurants has a history of health violations. Not only can you gain access to that information, but it’s often accompanied by specific violations the restaurant may have committed, so you’ll know if you’ve consumed food cooked at the wrong temperature or if the establishment has a history of storing food incorrectly.

Casual dining in Kennesaw, GA, is a fun opportunity to hang out with coworkers and connect with friends and family, but make sure your favorite spot isn’t going to make you sick. Keeping an eye on the details will ensure you know how to tell when a restaurant is dirty, and when it’s squeaky clean.