Restaurant Letter Grades (Houston: inspection, restaurants, law)

[txdemo]

I was looking at the Chronicle's dirty restaurant slideshow and am wondering why Houston doesn't implement posting health inspection letter grades on the front doors of restaurants.

Or, even better, having them post their health inspection report on the front door.

[Latsabb]

Because as long as they pass, the government shouldnt involve itself in trying to sway consumers on where they eat? Seems like government overreach to do such a thing, especially considering the people can just take it down. And assuming you mean that it would then be law that they be forced to leave it up, you suddenly have to have someone to regulate that, check up on it, determine if someone is in violation or not, etc.

[detachable arm]

What did a little gas and diarrhea ever do to anyone? Make them lose a few pounds they didn't need? Improve their immune systems? Eat what you like.

[JoeHito]

Originally Posted by detachable arm

What did a little gas and diarrhea ever do to anyone? Make them lose a few pounds they didn't need? Improve their immune systems? Eat what you like.

I've eaten at some pretty sketchy places locally and in developing countries, and you're right, the body can process and tolerate quite a bit. On the other hand, I'll pass on getting food poisoning any day! Not pleasant.

I think posting a grade on the business wouldn't work for sure. They all display their health department certificate somewhere I think.

Maybe the health department could post findings online per business registration. Kind of like review website for healthcode violations. Maybe the information exists already and someone just needs to pull the info into a phone app for public usability.

Missing the days of Marvin Zindler and the slime in the ice machine report.

[Latsabb]

At the end of the day, if they pass their inspection, then they are safe to eat at. If someone disagrees with that, then perhaps they shouldnt be worried about posting letter grades, but upping the minimum standards.

[texas7]

Originally Posted by detachable arm

What did a little gas and diarrhea ever do to anyone? Make them lose a few pounds they didn't need? Improve their immune systems? Eat what you like.

Depending on what foodborne illness they get -- there is possible death as a complication.

[txdemo]

Inspection reports are available online. I just know that restaurants get their act together when they are held accountable. Hardly government overreach.

Right now you just have to hope everything is clean and up to code.

[huma281]

I think some cities already do this. I remember when I was in NY awhile back, they had their grades posted in front of their building.

[txdemo]

Originally Posted by huma281

I think some cities already do this. I remember when I was in NY awhile back, they had their grades posted in front of their building.

I saw it in California.

[colcat]

Originally Posted by txdemo

I was looking at the Chronicle's dirty restaurant slideshow and am wondering why Houston doesn't implement posting health inspection letter grades on the front doors of restaurants.

Or, even better, having them post their health inspection report on the front door.

I completely think that Texas should adopt this! Keeps em honest. I may not get sick from eating at a dirty restaurant, but call me crazy, I am not interested in the least to eat rat, mice, or roach droppings. I would love to be able to make an informed decision on what restaurants to ear at and the ones to avoid.