Would a posted "C" sanitation grade scare you off?

[Robin Garr]

Foodie poll! Would you eat at a restaurant with a "C" grade posted? How about a "B"? Why or why not?

Cplacard.jpg

It would if it were one of the (supposed) top restaurants in the country...one that seems to have a habit of earning such ratings.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/us/new-yo ... nspection/

But to answer your question as it pertains to L'ville...the answer is "it depends". If it were an established restaurant with a overall good reputation, then I'd probably give 'em a pass...once. On the other hand if it's a place serving up third world cuisine, probably not.

[Robin Garr]

On the other hand if it's a place serving up third world cuisine, probably not.

I probably won't go to a restaurant I've ever been to before it has a B or a C unless I have a special reason to be there. It is nice that you can now see the last 2 ratings on the scorecard since it helps to determine if it's a one time thing or their normal mode of operation. I'm a little less picking if a restaurant I go to regularly have a lower score because I already know their history and what to expect.

I would not even if they were serving hamburgers, freedom fries and apple pie.

I would not even if they were serving hamburgers, freedom fries and apple pie.

I would especially NOT go if they were serving hamburgers!!!

Depends what the violation was for. If an employee had a coke on the back counter or something, not that big of a deal to me.

What if the sign said Go C ards ?

On the other hand if it's a place serving up third world cuisine, probably not.

Said another way...If it's a well established, reputable and generally professionally ran restaurant, I'm going to assume maybe the dishwater was 2 degrees to cold and give 'em a one time "pass". On the other hand, if it's Miguel's Taqueria /Grocery and Auto Parts I'm probably not going to give them the same get out of jail free card.

[Robin Garr]

On the other hand, if it's Miguel's Taqueria /Grocery and Auto Parts I'm probably not going to give them the same get out of jail free card.

Well, let's do a little reality check here: Would you give the same level of scrutiny to Bubba's Burgers, Beer and Bait?

I would run screaming from Bubba's. This I can promise you.

Seeing a C is an instant red flag for me (literally). If it is a restaurant I am familiar with, then I am curious as to why the C (again, I once got a C for a minor drip on a hand sink no where near a food area). If it is a restaurant I am not familiar with, then I am probably going to give it a wide berth. I'm still curious, but less likely to investigate. May not be fair, but it's more instinctive than anything.

Ate at a restaurant (a large Asian buffet, hint hint) recently and noticed the C on the way out. My wife said if she'd seen it beforehand we wouldn't have gone. I checked the database, though, and saw they were upgraded to an A a week later.

[Robin Garr]

they were upgraded to an A a week later.

That's my whole point on the "C": When a restaurant gets zinged, they're on notice. The inspector is coming back (unannounced) sometime in the next 10 days. They are READY. That's the time to go!

Also, checking which specific offense is checked off can make a huge difference. Some of the "critical violations" that earn you a C are pretty petty; others, not so much. You can get dinged, for example, if your menu doesn't have the standard warning about the dangers of undercooked seafood or fish (assuming you have any dishes on the menu involving that option.) That failure wouldn't bother me in the least. On the other hand, the one about re-serving other people's used food might bespeak a management attitude that I would prefer to avoid.

On the other hand, if it's Miguel's Taqueria /Grocery and Auto Parts I'm probably not going to give them the same get out of jail free card.

Well, let's do a little reality check here: Would you give the same level of scrutiny to Bubba's Burgers, Beer and Bait?

Mehhhh....prolly not. Depends. If I did elect to "dine" in such and establishment under said circumstances, I would definitely not opt for the all you can eat Crawfish and instead stick to a can of Vienna sausages and a sleeve of Saltines...that or maybe an R.C. and a Moon Pie.