Rating Restaurants

The McHenry County Health Department inspects restaurants.

I’m told that the minimum passing grade is 70% and some restaurants are satisfied with ratings that barely pass.

But, as a consumer, you wouldn’t know about that.

The information is available through a Freedom of Information request, which I once made.

The data I received was such a mish-mash that I did nothing with it.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a restaurant ranking on a Waffle House just south of the Illinois line in northern Kentucky.

This may be the northernmost Waffle House.  It is in a suburb west of Paducah..

This may be the northernmost Waffle House. It is in a suburb west of Paducah..

Kentucky, you know, that state most Illinoisians probably look down upon.

The Waffle House had its "A" rating taped right on a window next to the entrance.

The Waffle House had its “A” rating taped right on a window next to the entrance.

The Waffle House had achieved an “A” rating.

There was a comparison of the most recent rating with the one before.

The score for the one before was 100%.

The ink had faded in the sunlight of the two grades, so I took a close-up.

The ink had faded in the sunlight of the two grades, so I took a close-up.

That had slipped to 91%, but still high enough for an “A” grade.

Here is the question of the day:

Why doesn’t the McHenry County Health Department follow a similar policy of public disclosure?

I remember hearing a story on NPR about some ladies tea establishment on the East Coast.  After its score dropped significantly, lots of ladies did not continue going for tea.

The next quarterly inspection, the tea room’s score increased significantly.


Comments

Rating Restaurants — 6 Comments

  1. And while they’re at it, I’d like to see a rating of bathrooms, in restaurants, food stores, etc.

    Then, follow it up with the “nasty driver award.” R

    andall Road shoppers on a Saturday would win, hands down.

    Parking lots are a battleground.

    And, where do these people come from?

    Algonquin, LITH, Crystal Lake, or points beyond?

    Maybe, hand out Bad Behavior Awards?

  2. I know that Andy’s on Rt 14 gets excellent ratings.

    Good place to eat and very nice people.

  3. Waffle house one of my favs when traveling!

    Thanks Cal now you got me hungry!

  4. That Waffle House I think is on Lone Oak Rd / Rte 45 in Paducah.

    There are some Waffle Houses near St. Louis and Indianapolis.

    The McHenry County Health Department should post restaurant inspections on its website in a format easily readable by and meaningful to the public.

    Shouldn’t require a FOIA.

    Shouldn’t be difficult to read.

    Check out the Purchase District Health Department website.
    http://www.purchasehealth.org

    That’s the Health Department which covers Paducah.

    “Restaurant Scores and Ratings

    CLICK HERE to see scores and ratings for all restaurants inspected by the Purchase District Health Department in Ballard, Carlise, Fulton, Hickman and McCracken counties.
    Scores are updated on a daily to weekly basis. Please use ALL CAPITALS when searching by name of establishments.

    Information Regarding Restaurant Grade Posting.

    On August 1, 2013 the Purchase District Health began implementing a new policy that requires restaurants in Ballard, Carlise, Fulton Hickman and McCracken counties to post a letter grade that corresponds to their health department inspection score.

    Click Here for details regarding the new policy and to see a copy of ordinance.”

    The McCracken County Hillbilly’s beat the McHenry County Yankees for Public Disclosure of Restaurant Health Department Inspection Scores.

    Paducah is the County Seat of McCracken County.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *