Chattanooga’s Food Scene: Health Scores That Are Worth a Peek!
Hey there, Chattanooga food lovers! If you’re like me, you probably enjoy eating out at local spots — there’s nothing quite like the flavors of our beloved city. But have you ever wondered how clean and safe those tasty dishes are? Well, you’re in luck! The Hamilton County, Catoosa County, and Walker County health departments have recently released their food inspections scores, and we’ve got the scoop on how local eateries fared.
How It Works
Each food service establishment is inspected twice a year. These health checks focus on various aspects of food safety, including the handling of items, cleanliness, and whether the staff knows how to keep those pesky germs at bay. They use a pretty straightforward grading scale, scoring restaurants out of 100 points. If a place doesn’t meet the critical standards, they’ll get a re-inspection. On-the-spot adjustments can happen, so the scores may not reflect immediate corrections made during the inspection. If you have a health-related complaint, don’t hesitate to call the respective health department!
Latest Scores
As of October 15, 2024, here are a few noteworthy scores from the latest inspections:
- 79 – Southern Belle, 151 Riverfront Parkway
- 82 – Latin Hibachi Grill and Steakhouse (Mobile), 2701 E. 47th St.
- 82 – Mexiville Mexican Restaurant, 809 Market St.
- 97 – Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 2040 Hamilton Place Blvd.
- 98 – Kumo One, 6025 E. Brainerd Road, Suite 104
- 99 – Baby Hughy’s, 2184 Cloud Springs, Rossville
- 100 – Anomaly at OddStory Brewing Co., 1604 Central Ave. (Yes, they got a perfect score!)
This establishment fell short in several areas: the person in charge wasn’t managing food safety properly, raw beef was stored improperly, and some ready-to-eat items were left too long. Yikes! Even the shrimp didn’t get a good thawing treatment — it was sitting in standing water.
Another spot that could really use a little TLC. It struggled with the same management issues as Southern Belle. To top it off, the hand sink was blocked by dirty dishes, and there were no paper towels available — not ideal for keeping everything fresh and clean!
This restaurant also faced management issues. Rice was found on the steam table below the required temperature, hot dogs were thawing at room temperature, and there was dust hanging out on the walk-in cooler shelves. That was enough to raise some eyebrows!
These spots really nailed it, showcasing what great food safety looks like. It’s fantastic to see so many of our favorite places coming through with flying colors!
Staying Informed
While we all love our food, it’s crucial to stay informed about the health standards of the places we frequent. Sharing these scores is one way of promoting safety and cleanliness in our community. If you’re ever in doubt about a restaurant’s hygiene practices, you can reach out to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department at 423-209-8110, Catoosa County Health Department at 706-406-2030, or Walker County Health Department at 706-639-2574.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, folks! Whether you’re planning to indulge in some scrumptious tacos or enjoy Chinese takeout, it’s great to be aware of what’s going on behind the scenes in our local restaurants. Here’s hoping for more perfect scores and fewer red flags next time around! Stay safe, eat well, and let’s keep supporting our amazing local food scene!
